After the Roman Empire fell in the 5th century,
the city of Rome gradually came under control of the pope.
In fact, for centuries, the pope was called "the King Pope."
Little by little, the king pope built his own empire.
At its peak, around the 17th century,
the Papal States, as they were called,
encompassed much of the Italian peninsula.
When the modern nation of Italy was united,
it absorbed most of the Papal States,
including the city of Rome.
But the pope held out.
For 60 years, the pope was holed up here,
behind the Vatican walls.
Finally, in 1929,
the pope and Mussolini signed the Lateran Treaty,
establishing the Vatican as its own nation.
The garden-like core of the country,
where serious administration takes place,
is closed to the public.
The Vatican military is made up of the Swiss Guard.
In 1506, the pope imported mercenaries from Switzerland,
who were known for their loyalty and courage.
Today, about 100 Swiss soldiers still protect the pope,
keep the crush of tourists as orderly as possible,
and wear the flamboyant, Renaissance-style uniform
that tourists just love to photograph.
The Vatican has its own postal service.
Many consider it to be
more reliable than mailing things
from across the street in Italy.
And Vatican stamps are a fun souvenir.
The Vatican is built on the memory and tomb
of the first pope -- St. Peter.
Piazza San Pietro sits on what was
the site of a Roman race track.
Imagine chariots making their hairpin turns
around that obelisk.
For added entertainment during the games,
Christians were executed here.
In about 65 A.D., the apostle Peter
was crucified within sight of this obelisk.
His friends buried him in a humble graveyard,
atop what pagan Romans called "the Vatican hill."
For about 250 years, Christians worshipped quietly on this spot.
Then, when Emperor Constantine
legalized Christianity in 313 A.D.,
a basilica was built here, and this became
the head of the Roman Catholic church.
1,200 years later, the original St. Peter's was replaced
by this -- the most glorious church in all Christendom.
Upon entering, your first impression
is, "it's big."
Over 600 feet long, bathed in glorious sunbeams,
it can accommodate thousands of worshippers.
Near the entrance, Michelangelo's pieta
is adored by pilgrims
and tourists alike.
Here, the 25-year-old Michelangelo intends to make
the theological message very clear --
Jesus, once alive but now dead,
gave his life for our salvation.
The contrast provided by Mary's rough robe
makes his body, even carved in hard marble,
seems soft and believable.
The high altar, like so much of the art decorating the Vatican,
is a masterpiece by the great baroque artist, Bernini.
With sunlight illuminating its alabaster window
as if powering the holy spirit,
it encrusts the legendary throne of St. Peter
with a starburst of baroque praise.
Directly above the altar which marks the tomb of St. Peter
stands Bernini's bronze canopy.
And above that, Michelangelo's dome,
taller than a football field on end.
The inscription declares in Latin,
tu es petrus -- "You are Peter,
and upon this rock, I will build my church."
This is the scriptural basis for the primacy of Rome
in the Catholic church.
A viewing perch gives travelers
a close-up look at those huge letters
and a heavenly perspective
into the church.
From the rooftop,
you can size up the dome you're about to climb.
For a close look
at Michelangelo's dome-within-a-dome design,
lean in as you climb 300 steps
to the cupola.
The view from the top is unrivaled,
both of the city of Rome and of the Vatican grounds.
You can survey the entire country from this lofty perch.
The long, rectangular building is the Vatican Museum,
with the adjacent Sistine Chapel.
These buildings and courtyards display some of the greatest art
of Western civilization.
Over the centuries, the popes have amassed
enough art to fill what many consider
Europe's richest museum.
Long halls are sumptuously decorated
with precious tapestries, frescoed ceilings,
and ancient statues.
The museum features art from every age.
Its exquisite painting gallery includes
Raphael's much-loved painting of the Transfiguration.
Halls and courtyards are littered
with Ancient Greek masterpieces,
like the Laocoon,
so inspirational to the great masters of the Renaissance.
And the pope's apartments tell Christian history.
This is the battle in which Emperor Constantine
was led by angels and a holy cross
both to a key military victory
and to his own religious conversion.
And these rooms celebrate pre-Christian philosophy.
Here, Raphael paints the school of Athens,
the "who's who" of Ancient Greek intellectual heroes --
many painted with the features of Renaissance greats --
Leonardo,
Michelangelo,
and a self-portrait of Raphael,
in the black cap.
But of course we've just scratched the surface.
If you're pondering eternity,
try covering the Vatican Museum thoroughly.