The Smallest Country in the World

“Welcome to Vatican City! The smallest independent state in the world!” These were the first words our tour guide bellowed at us with a pleasantly Italian accent. When I entered, the first thing I noticed was marble. Everything around me was either made of gorgeous white marble or granite decorated with bright colors. The hundred-years old statues stared back at all of us as we walked through the museum area where countless gorgeous statues were lined up in a long hall. Most of which, though originally nude, had a leaf added post-creation to conceal more private areas. After the statues, we walked through a long, decorated hallway with murals of maps painted on the wall. This hall, our guide informed us, was used by older Popes to see the land they have domain over.

Finally, I reached the moment I’ve been waiting for. Down a few marble steps and through a large door, I walked inside. The Sistine Chapel was even more gorgeous than I had imagined. Bright colors covered the ceiling and walls. Michelangelo did every single work, as he did not trust an assistant to aid him. I instinctively reached for my phone to capture the moment, but I remembered in disappointment that photos are not allowed inside the chapel. Despite seeing other strangers and tourists snapping sneaky photos, I decided there must be a good reason.

Exiting the chapel, we arrived directly underneath the balcony where new Popes are sworn in. If I looked to my left, I could also see the window that the Pope blesses people out of every Wednesday and Sunday. Unfortunately, it was Tuesday. After sightseeing, Bethany and I walked back, covered in sweat from the cloudless Italian heat, wishing the Pope could bless some clouds to come overhead.