May 13, 2014 Study Abroad Philosophy and Art journal

I’m never sure how to feel about the Vatican.  It is vast and impressive, but this makes it also scary in that I’m not sure that a religious organization should have so much power.  Historically, I know that the papacy held a lot of power over many countries and while they have had some good impact in ways, the level of corruption and money grubbing historically in the church is detrimental to my respect for it.  I feel like this problem has not changed even with the modern Catholic church.  I see all the 

5-13-14, Fontana's Obelisk in the center of St. Peter's Square. Egyptian original from Heliopolis, brought over by Caligula  in 37 CE to grace his racetrack.  Pope Sixtus V had it moved to current position by Fontana  in 1586 and this took 4 months of labor and 900 men to complete.  This obelisk combines the ancient world that resulted in the martyrdom of St. Peter with the opulence and overindulgence that exemplifies the Renaissance rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica and Square.  Without this centering obelisk, the square would not be balanced even with the colonnade and fountains, so I believe that it is the most important part of the square when viewed from above.

plaques and the tomb of John Paul II and while he was a beloved Pope who traveled extensively, it’s like everyone has forgotten that the scandal of priest’s molesting children happened in his watch with no real punishment for the offenders. 

The papacy has also not been conducive to change or had a lot of desire to forward the “Christian” way of life as it appeared to be taught by Jesus Christ, so I’m not sure that this entity has done anything but stand in the way of a lot of progress because of inquisitions, repression of scientific thought, and reprisals for 

5-13-14 Bernini's St. Peter's Throne, 1665 at the back of St. Peter's Basilica.  The gold cherubs are said to encase the ivory chair that St. Peter would preach from and the dove is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.  I chose this work by Bernini in the Vatican because it seems to combine the Baroque over-exuberance in the form of all the gold angels with a minimalist stained glass piece that highlights the Holy Spirit because of it's simplicity.  Like his colonnade in the square, this shows Bernini's genius in combining methods to create a cohesive whole that is beautiful.

anyone who went against church doctrine.  Religion has always been a very important part of humanity and their attempt to understand the reason for living, what happens after death, and the purpose of this universe.  I see the need for it and the strength of belief, especially in a place like Italy.  There is still so much going on in the churches throughout the week, I think of churches like the ones in most of America, closed every day except Wednesday night and Sundays.  That’s not the case here and there are many people who still hold these churches and their doctrines very dear. 

5-13-14 Momo's 1932 staircase inspired by the "Pope's Elevator" by Bramante in the Vatican Museums.  This double helix staircase is the exit for all museum goers and is illuminated by a glass canopy above them.  The original staircase was created in 1512 by Bramante to allow the pope to ascend the staircase on the back of a donkey.  I wish that every dome we climbed on this trip had utilized this method.  I will include a picture of the original Bramante spiral staircase and I believe that I like Momo's better, but count myself disappointed to learn that these are not Bramante.

While the papacy and Vatican City causes some controversy in my mind, the little places where these beliefs trickle down are usually good places.  I think of St. Michael’s near us at home and the food pantry, the store for clothes and furniture at really cheap prices and how much help they give the community in our area.  There is nothing but good being done here and I can’t hold anything against these smaller entities that appear to be living some of what they preach.  But the Vatican must be held to a higher standard because 

they are the home of this vast empire.  There is nothing plain or humble about the Vatican, St. Peters, or their libraries, gardens, or museums.  I can’t help but think that the Jesus Christ that I have read about wouldn’t like this ostentatious, large church that is built to make the papacy look imposing, impressive, and powerful when he preached about being humble and helping others.  I don’t think that he would have approved of the money spent to make this place and would have considered alternate ways to spend that money that involved doing things like St. Michael’s does.