Table of ContentsRome and the Vatican CityIntroduction"Pilgrimages are not very important to Christians"Rome and the Vatican CityIntroductionThis essay will focus on pilgrimage, especially on that of Christian pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey that many Christians and people of other faiths make in their lives to a place of religious significance. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayA place of pilgrimage may be considered important because Jesus lived, died, or was resurrected there (the Holy Land ), that a saint lived there or died there (Assisi), Mary was seen in this place (Lourdes), or it is the place where a miracle occurred or where a relic is kept. Christians may go on pilgrimage to strengthen their relationship with God, seek spiritual or physical healing, or go in hopes of receiving absolution from God for their sins. They might also go on a pilgrimage to learn more about their religion or in the hope that a miracle might occur there. This essay will examine Rome and Vatican City and how they acquired religious significance. Saint Paul was an apostle who wrote to Roman Christians between 56 and 57 AD expressing a desire to visit them. Saint Paul did not arrive in Rome until 61 AD, as a prisoner. He arrived at a port near Naples, where the Eastern routes to Rome ended, where he was welcomed by a small group of Christians. The fact that there were Christians in this region proved that the religion was spreading rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. When Saint Peter became an apostle, his name was changed from Simon and Jesus said to him: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." Saint Peter also arrived in Rome between 56 and 61 AD to pray where Peter was buried." Roman Catholics consider the election of a new pope a highly significant event. Hundreds of thousands of Roman citizens and pilgrims flock to Vatican City to catch their first glimpse of the white smoke. their announcement that a new pope has been chosen and the announcement "Habemus Papam", the Latin for "We have a pope". They consider this event particularly important because "they consider him the successor of the apostle Peter and". the person who is the direct historical link to Jesus Christ.” Both Saint Peter and Saint Paul were in Rome in 64 AD when a fire broke out and spread across most of Rome. Emperor Nero was blamed for this fire and, in turn, he blamed the Christians. As a result, the Romans began to persecute Christians. Saint Paul, as a Roman citizen, was beheaded near the Tre Fontane on the Via Ostiensis and Saint Paul was crucified in the Vatican area. Saint Peter believed that he did not deserve to die in the same way as Jesus and so he asked to be crucified upside down. Later, basilicas were built over their respective tombs. After St. Peter's death, people from all over the Roman Empire traveled to Rome to visit the place where he was buried. by dying in Rome, near the bearer of the keys to heaven, Saint Peter, they would have the best possible chance on the Day of Judgment. » This shows the importance of Rome to the early Christians; even the Christians of England went on pilgrimage to Rome after considering Saint Peter as the first pope. This also illustrates that at that time all roads started from Rome and all roads led to Rome and shows that the Word of God was spreading rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. The persecution of Christians lastedapproximately 300 years ago and was known as the "age of persecution" or "the age of martyrs". Christianity had become illegal and even the use of the term “Christian” was considered a crime. In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine, whose mother was Catholic, allowed people to practice Christianity and, shortly before his death, became a Christian himself. Emperor Constantine also built a large church over the tomb of St. Peter. Since Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 AD, Rome has become the center of the faith. In 1506, Pope Julius II built a new church over the tomb of Saint Peter, which was not completed until 1677. The altar, used only by the pope, is placed directly above the tomb of Saint Peter . I will talk more about St. Peter's Basilica in A(ii). In 1929, Italian leader Mussolini gave Pope Paul II a small state. Ruled by the Pope and other important members of the Church, Vatican City in Rome was considered the center of the Catholic faith. Despite its size, with a population of only 500 inhabitants, Vatican City has its own newspaper (L'Osservatore Romano), bank, radio station and television channel. The Vatican even has its own army. In 1506, one hundred and fifty Swiss Guards entered the Vatican and were blessed by Pope Julius II. To be a Swiss Guard, soldiers must be: A Swiss citizen A Roman Catholic Good moral and ethical training A former member of the Swiss military school Between 19 and 30 years old At least 174 cm tall Unmarried Must hold a professional diploma or a high school diploma (Swiss Guard - Admission Requirements, www.vatican.va)The main priority of the guards is to monitor the most important places in the Vatican, including the private residence of the Pope. The Curia, the government of the Vatican, not only oversees how the state is run, but with the help of the Pope, also decides how all Catholics should live their lives, thus affecting: "... the lives of individuals from Taiwan to Tennessee via Tahiti." The Vatican is of utmost importance to the Roman Catholic faith. The Vatican is: "...a voice free from prejudice and partiality, a wise voice which has nothing other to say than love and kindness, a voice to brighten the hopes of men and make them take awareness of their dignity and their rights. tourists travel to the Eternal City every year and visit the Vatican. There are plenty of things to do for pilgrims in Rome and Vatican City. They can visit the many churches and monuments important to the lives of the saints. Pilgrims also come to Vatican City hoping to see, and perhaps even meet, the Holy Father. Every Wednesday morning, the Pope holds an "audience", usually in the audience hall, but he may also sometimes address the audience in St. Peter's Basilica. At 11 a.m., after a cardinal introduces a group of people, the pope will address them in their native language. The pope also makes frequent appearances on his balcony, which overlooks St. Peter's Square. From there, he will deliver a short sermon before leading a prayer session. At Christmas and Easter, the most important holidays celebrated at the Vatican, the Pope gives a blessing that is broadcast on televisions and radios around the world. To mark the start of Lent, there is a great Carnival, where processions take place through the streets of Rome. On less important feast days, such as Epiphany or those of certain saints, pilgrims may go to a procession in a particular area of ​​which that saint is the patron or to a mass in the church dedicated to the saint; for example, on the occasion of theSaint Peter's Day, June 29, a mass is dedicated to him at Saint Peter's Basilica. There are seven major basilicas in Rome which are considered of great importance to pilgrims; Saint Peter, San Paolo Fuori Le Mura (Saint Paul outside the walls), San Giovanni in Laterano (Saint John Lateran), San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura (Saint Lawrence outside the walls), Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (the Holy Cross in Jerusalem), San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains) and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pilgrims to Rome most often visit St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. The current basilica, completed after almost 200 years in 1677, is built in the shape of a cross; Under the main body of the church is a crypt where many popes are buried. Further underground is another room, similar to a cave, which is believed to be the tomb of Saint Peter. It is the largest church in the Vatican and: "...it is in Saint Peter's Basilica that the most solemn religious ceremonies of Roman Catholicism take place." As a Roman citizen, Saint Paul was beheaded outside the walls of Rome and a monastery. is built on what is believed to be the traditional site of his death, five kilometers from the city. The body of Saint Paul is said to have been buried under the church of San Paolo Fuori le Mura. The original church was replaced in 386 AD and rebuilt in 1823. By standing on the site where Saint Paul died, a pilgrim can feel closer to the Saint, perhaps even sense some presence of the Saint . The pilgrim can also try to sympathize with the saint, by imagining what he would have felt at the time of his execution. The church of San Giovanni in Laterano, after a series of disasters, was rebuilt between the years 1646 and 1650. The relics of the heads of Saint Peter and Saint Paul are found in the church, as is the Scala Santa , which is said to be the staircase that Jesus took to Pontius Pilate's palace. La Scala Santa is now covered in wood and pilgrims wishing to climb it do so on their knees. There are several reasons for this; some pilgrims wish to sympathize with what Jesus felt when he was brought before Pontius Pilote, others may do it as penance in order to receive absolution, or to feel closer to God. The Church of San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura, built by Constantine, holds the relics of San Lorenzo. Having belonged to or been associated with the Saint, a relic is considered as important to a Christian as it has been kept as an act of veneration. It also allows the pilgrim to feel closer to the Saint because he can observe something that once belonged to him and imagine how the Saint lived. It has undergone several renovations since its construction; including one which ended in 1948 after an American air raid in 1943. The churches of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme and that of San Pietro in Vincoli house relics of the True Cross of Jerusalem and the chains that Saint Peter wore when he was in prison in Jerusalem and later those used on him in Rome. The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was built in 432 AD and was the first basilica in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Also in the Vatican, pilgrims can also visit the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican Palace. In 1508, Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo Buonarotti to decorate the ceiling of the chapel. It took four years to complete various works, including paintings of stories from the Bible, and pilgrims today can still see his most famous painting of all, The Last Judgment. In 2002, the Vatican saw a new generation of pilgrims visiting the Vatican. In 2002, World Youth Day took place in Rome and 200,000 young pilgrims arrived to show their unconditional love for their Christ. They traveledSt. Peter's Square while meditating on the words of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart, they will see God. Blessed are the merciful, they will have mercy,” projected from the loudspeakers around them. This section will reflect on some of the reasons given for going on pilgrimage in the introduction and how pilgrimage can affect someone's life. "I suggest that 'the heart on pilgrimage' is the fundamental meaning of Christian pilgrimages, whatever their form, and that this inner sense of pilgrimage is also a unifying element in human life. "When a person goes on a pilgrimage, he is almost certain that his life will be affected in some way, either positively or in some cases, negatively. The experience of going on a pilgrimage is always memorable and can greatly change a person's life. The pilgrimage can be described as a "breathtaking experience", which leaves a person searching for a better life, whether spiritually, mentally or both. They can take the opportunity to change their lifestyle and follow a more Christian life; for example, they may decide that they want to follow the Ten Commandments more closely, or in short, try harder to “love God and love your neighbor.” Those who go on pilgrimage in search of physical or spiritual healing often find it. If they are suffering from a physical or mental illness, by going on a pilgrimage they can find new hope and this experience will lead them to be healed in one way or another. The most important thing the pilgrim must consider when seeking healing is that God may have helped him in an indirect way, which may not be obvious at first. If a pilgrim goes on a pilgrimage as an act of intercession for someone with cancer, the way God might help them might not be to heal them directly, but perhaps to end their suffering with a another way. If a pilgrim has gone in the hope of reconciling their relationship with God, after being on pilgrimage they may feel that they have received absolution and can make a fresh start in life. People who go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, for example: “...expressed their desire to walk where Jesus walked. » The pilgrim may be touched by their experience and, in turn, the knowledge they gain may encourage them to change the way they live. A pilgrim may feel more inclined to perform more charitable acts, follow God's ways more closely, or simply attend church more often. By meeting new people and becoming part of a larger Christian community, the pilgrim can find inspiration to become a better person in their everyday life. Those who are more fortunate might also find that they enjoy the basic things in life, which can lead them to be more kind and understanding, and to use the gifts and fruits that God has given them . a pilgrim has completed his spiritual journey, spiritually he will be able to enjoy a richer life after renewing his relationship with God and his commitment to his faith. Ultimately, the pilgrim will have received a new outlook on life and will want to do more to make himself a better Christian. A minority of pilgrims could, however, be negatively affected by going on a pilgrimage. If their prayers or wishes were not “answered” as they wished, the pilgrim may lose all faith in God and abandon their religion. This is why it is important to have the ability to identify other ways in which God can help you or “answer” your prayers. “Pilgrimages.