Pilgrimage Sunday: St. Peter's Basilica
- Rick Bessey
- Aug 2, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 21, 2025
St. Peter's Basilica is a magnificent basilica. It is the resting place of Peter the Apostle. Originally constructed by Constantine, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance and decorated in the Baroque style. It is lavish, grand, and impressive.
To begin with, as you enter, notice the scale of the basilica. Even the cherubs, the "little" cupid-like angels that support the basins of holy water, are larger than human-sized! Your eye is drawn down the main nave to the airy, open space under the dome and the artwork at the far end.
Before we begin exploring, take the time, as you enter, to notice the floor. In particular, look for a large porphyry disc on the floor. This marker was retained from the original St. Peter's and is the actual stone that Charlemagne knelt on as he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in the year 800!
Take your time to enjoy all the artwork as you proceed down the nave. (But please, take the time to look at Michelangelo's Pietà, the moving statue carved before the David. This marvelous work of Mary holding the body of Christ sits just to the right as you enter.)
The "awning" or "covering" that you see ahead of you under the dome is the baldacchino (that is the architectural term for the canopy) and covers the holy altar. The bronze was taken from the porch of the Pantheon and repurposed here by the artist Bernini!
Beyond the altar in the apse of the church, there is what appears to be a chair supported by smoke with a dove over it. This artwork protects the literal chair used by St. Peter, and the dove represents the Holy Spirit.
As you stand under the dome, look at the four massive statues that surround the altar in the four piers that make up the crossing under the dome. They represent relics that are present in St. Peter's.
Longinus the soldier holds his spear aloft, the spear that pierced the body of Christ, and which is now a treasure of the Vatican.
Veronica rushes forward holding her veil. When Christ stumbled under the weight of his cross, she rushed forward and wiped his face. The cloth she used still bears the image of His face from that moment, and this same cloth is displayed on the balcony over her statue once a year. (I have been fortunate enough to see this!)
St. Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, is present, for it is she who discovered the true cross during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and brought back pieces of the cross.
St. Andrew is present holding the cross, the object of his martyrdom. The head of Andrew was present in St. Peter's for years, but was returned to the Greek Orthodox Church in Patras by the Pope as a sign of goodwill.
Remain standing in the crossing, and admire the dome overhead. Around the base of the dome is the inscription TU ES PETRUS ET SUPER HANC PETRAM AEDIFICABO ECCLESIAM MEAM ET TIBI DABO CLAVES REGNI CAELORUM. The inscription is from Matthew 16:18-19 and reads, "You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Do not forget, this building literally sits over the body of Peter. And, yes, you can climb to the top of the dome during your visit. Although entry to the basilica is free, the climb to the dome requires a ticket. If you have the time, it is worth the exertion.
I always stress that a visit to St. Peter's is a must for first time visitors to Rome. I am certain that once you have experienced it you will see why.
The Pilgrimage Churches of Rome:
Four Major Basilicas:
St. Peter's Basilica
Additional Pilgrimage Churches:
Are you interested in seeing this?
Yes!
Not really.
If there is time.
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P.S. Ever get confused by the inscriptions you see in Rome?
I created a free, 1-page "5-Minute Decoder" that unlocks 90% of the phrases you'll see on monuments. It's the perfect tool to go from a tourist to an insider.
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