Vatican Splendors

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Vatican Splendors Exhibit at the Fort Lauderdale Art Museum with a group of parishioners. The exhibit was very well put together, tracing the history and artistic heritage of the Catholic Church from apostolic times to Pope Benedict XVI.

The highlight of the exhibit for me was seeing a replica of the main doors of Saint Peter’s Basilica. The bottom two panels depict the martyrdoms of Saints Peter and Paul. During the two years that I gave tours of Saint Peter’s Basilica, I always paused in front of the doors to narrate the martyrdoms of the saints before entering. I had a chance to do it again for some of my parishioners.

I really being in Fort Lauderdale even though the trip was short. Here are two pictures I took.

Last night the History Channel had an EXCELLENT program titled Secret Access: The Vatican. I rarely watch the History Channel because so many of its programs aren’t history-related or are about conspiracy theories and the end of the world, yet I was impressed with this two-hour special. It portrays the history of the Church fairly and accurately.

Much stress was given to the history of the relation between the United States and the Vatican, including an interview with the current US ambassador to the Holy See, Miguel Diaz. They were given access to the Pope’s private apartments and they show him watching TV, celebrating Mass, playing the piano and having dinner with my Moral Theology professor. Cardinal Comastri gives a tour of the excavations below the basilica and the crypt level. If you have a chance to watch this program, make sure you don’t miss it!