Impressions of Italy

Impressions of Italy

My wife and I have just returned from a short holiday in Italy. Travel is good for the soul. We are reminded that others on this planet live different lives than ours and that there are more possibilities for existence than we usually see.

Our trip consisted of visiting the top tourist attractions of the country. We saw the canals of Venice and the architectural beauty of Florence before taking a train to Rome.

The Colosseum was a reminder of the great achievements of ancient civilizations. In North America we can often forget how young our culture is.

Our tour of the Vatican Museum was an eye opener. In nearly three hours we saw about a tenth of what was there. A big disappointment was that we couldn’t see Michealangelo’s amazing paintings on the ceiling of the Cistine Chapel.

Just before we arrived in Italy, Pope Francis died. This meant a conclave to select the new pope would be held in the Cistine Chapel while we were in Rome.

Even without seeing the chapel, the holdings of the Vatican Museum were breathtaking. Every room we visited held transcendent works of art.

While we enjoyed the beauty of the displays, we couldn’t help feeling the staggering opulence of the Vatican. The disconnect between the teachings of Jesus and his emphasis on helping the poor and the luxurious trappings of the church were clear.

For centuries, Roman Catholic believers around the world have contributed a tenth of their earnings to the church. Some of this money goes to worthwhile efforts like housing and feeding the poor, but a large portion of those offerings go to church buildings and art. A visit to the Vatican makes it clear how wealthy the church really is.

After our tour of the museum and St. Peter’s Cathedral, my feelings were a mixture of awe and cynicism.

Despite the displays of over-the-top affluence, I couldn’t help but be moved by the devotion and sincerity of so many people around me.  It was hard not to be inspired by the dedication and tears of the faithful who had made so much effort to be there.

While the concept of the Vatican caused me concern, I understood this was a place that called for respect.

While waiting in line to see Michaelangelo’s magnificent sculpture, the Pieta we could hear two loud Americans behind us letting everyone know their thoughts.

One of them first asked whether St. Peter’s was in Rome or the Vatican. Then when another found out that the door we would be going through was a Holy Door he suggested if he was going to be forgiven, he should do some serious sinning before he got to the door.

These were ugly Americans at their worst. Their lack of understanding of the history and appropriate behaviour were embarrassing.

Just before we got to Rome, the new Pope was chosen. Because I wasn’t raised in a Catholic family, I don’t believe that the Pope is anyone special. When I heard that the new pontiff was an American, my negative feelings increased. In the political realities of today’s world, the last thing we need is an American Pope.

We were in Rome on the day the Pope gave his first speech. We were tempted to take the subway to the Vatican to be a part of this historic occasion but the thought of struggling through a crowd of over a hundred thousand kept us away.

In the days following the conclave, I did a little reading about the new Pope, and I was impressed. Pope Leo has a degree in mathematics, speaks five languages and has spent much of his ministry serving the poorest people of Peru. Quotes I have seen suggest he is a humble man who honestly wants to make the world a better place.

The Vatican inspires mixed and complicated feelings. I still have concerns but perhaps this ordinary man can make changes that will make the world a better place.