IndexRome and Vatican CityIntroduction"Pilgrimages are not very important for Christians"Rome and Vatican CityIntroductionThis essay will focus on pilgrimage, Christian ones in particular. 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayA pilgrimage site may be considered significant because Jesus lived, died, or was resurrected there (the Holy Land), a saint lived or died there (Assisi), Mary was sighted there (Lourdes), or it is the place where a miracle occurred or a relic is kept. Christians might go on pilgrimage to strengthen their relationship with God, request 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 happen there. This essay will examine Rome and Vatican City and how they acquired religious significance. Saint Paul was an apostle who wrote Christians to Rome between 56 and 57 AD expressing a desire to visit them. Saint Paul arrived in Rome only in 61 AD, as a prisoner. He arrived in a port near Naples, from which the routes from the East to Rome ended, where he was welcomed by a small group of Christians. The fact that there were Christians in this area showed 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 build my church." Saint Peter also arrived in Rome between 56 and 61 AD. He was made head of the Apostles by Jesus Christ and appointed the first Bishop of Rome, therefore the first Pope: "For centuries therefore Catholics went to Rome to pray where Peter was buried." Roman Catholics consider the election of a new Pope to be a highly significant event. Hundreds of thousands of Roman citizens and pilgrims flock to Vatican City to glimpse the first white smoke announcing to them the choice of the new Pope and the announcement "Habemus Papam", 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 constitutes the direct historical connection with Jesus Christ". Saint Peter and Saint Paul were both in Rome in 64 AD when a fire broke out and spread across much of Rome. Emperor Nero was blamed for this fire and, in turn, blamed the Christians. As a result, the Romans began to persecute the Christians. Saint Paul, a Roman citizen, was beheaded near the Tre Fontane on the Via Ostiense and Saint Paul was crucified in the Vatican area. Saint Peter thought he didn't deserve to die like Jesus and for this reason he asked to be crucified upside down. Basilicas were subsequently 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. "Many wealthy Englishmen of the time followed suit, trusting that by dying in Rome, near the bearer of the keys of heaven, St. Peter, they would have the best possible chance on Judgment Day. "This demonstrates the importance of Rome to the early Christians; English Christians also went on pilgrimage to Rome having regarded St Peter as the first Pope. This also shows that at the time all roads led from Rome and all roads lead to Rome and shows that the Word of God was spreading rapidly across the 'Roman Empire. The persecution of Christians lasted about 300 years and wasknown 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 became the focal point of the faith. In 1506 Pope Julius II built a new church over the tomb of St. Peter, which was not completed until 1677. The altar, used only by the pope, is placed directly above the tomb of St. Peter. I will talk more about St. Peter's Basilica in A(ii). In 1929, the Italian leader, Mussolini, gave Pope Paul II a small state. Ruled by the Pope and other important members of the Church, the Vatican City in Rome was considered the center of the Catholic faith. Despite its size, with a population of only 500, Vatican City has its own newspaper (L'Osservatore Romano), a bank, a radio station and a television station. The Vatican also 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: Swiss citizen Roman Catholic Of good moral and ethical training Former member of the military school of Switzerland Between 19 and 30 years old At least 174 cm tall Unmarried Must have a professional diploma or school diploma superior (Swiss Guard - Entry requirements, www.vatican.va) The main priority of the guards is to guard the most important places in the Vatican, including the Pope's private residence. The Curia, the Vatican government does not limit itself to supervising how the running State works, but with the help of the Pope, also decides how all Catholics should live their lives, thus influencing: "... the lives of individuals from Taiwan to Tennesse in Tahiti". The Vatican is of the utmost importance to the Roman Catholic faith. The Vatican is: "...a voice free from prejudice and partiality, a wise voice that has nothing to say except love and kindness, a voice that illuminates the hopes of men and gives them awareness of their dignity and their rights." Thousands of pilgrims and tourists travel to the Eternal City every year and visit the Vatican. There are many things for pilgrims to do in Rome and Vatican City. They can visit the numerous churches and monuments important to the lives of the saints. Pilgrims also come to Vatican City in hopes of seeing, and perhaps even meeting, the Holy Father. Every Wednesday morning the Pope hosts an audience, usually in the audience hall, but sometimes he may also address the audience in St. Peter's Basilica. At 11am, after a cardinal has introduced 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 in the Vatican, the Pope gives a blessing, which is broadcast on television and radio around the world. To celebrate the beginning of Lent, a large Carnival takes place, during which processions take place through the streets of Rome. On less important feasts, such as that of the Epiphany or those of particular saints, pilgrims can go in procession in a specific area of ​​which that saint is the patron saint or to a mass in the church dedicated to the saint; for example, on the feast of St. Peter, June 29, there is a mass dedicated to him in St. Peter's Basilica. There are seven major basilicas in Rome which are considered togreat significance for pilgrims; San Pietro, San Paolo Fuori Le Mura, San Giovanni in Laterano, San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, San Pietro in Vincoli (San Pietro in Vincoli) and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pilgrims to Rome most commonly 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 the crypt where numerous Popes are buried. Even further underground is another cave-like room, which is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter. It is the largest church in the Vatican and: "...it is in St. Peter's Basilica that the most solemn religious ceremonies of Roman Catholicism take place." As a Roman citizen, St. Paul was beheaded outside the walls of Rome and a monastery is built on what is thought to be the traditional site of his death, three miles from the city. The body of Saint Paul is believed to be buried under the church of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The original church was replaced in 386 AD and rebuilt in 1823. By standing in the place where St. Paul died, a pilgrim can feel closer to the Saint, perhaps even feel some presence of the Saint. A pilgrim can also try to empathize with the Saint, imagining how he would feel when he was executed. The church of San Giovanni in Laterano, after a series of disasters, was rebuilt between the years 1646 and 1650. In the church you can find the relics of the heads of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, as well as the Holy Staircase, which is said to be the staircase on which Jesus walked in the Palace of Pontius Pilate. The Holy Staircase has now been covered with wood and pilgrims who wish to climb it do so on their knees. There are many reasons for this; some pilgrims wish to empathize with the way Jesus felt when he was brought before Pontius Pilota, others may do so as penance to receive absolution, or to feel closer to God. The church of San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura, built by Constantine, it houses the relics of San Lorenzo. Having belonged to or associated with the Saint, a relic is considered important to a Christian as it has been preserved as an act of veneration. It also makes the pilgrim feel closer to the Saint because he can look at something that was once his and imagine how the Saint lived. Since its construction it has undergone several renovations; including one completed in 1948 after an American air raid in 1943. The churches of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme and that of San Pietro in Vincoli house the relics of the True Cross from Jerusalem and the chains that Saint Peter wore when he was in prison in Jerusalem and subsequently, 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 in the Vatican Palace. In 1508 Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo Buonarotti to decorate the ceiling of the chapel. Taking four years to complete various works, including paintings of Bible stories, pilgrims today can still see his most famous painting of all, The Last Judgment. In 2002, the Vatican saw a new generation of pilgrims visit the Vatican. In 2002 the annual World Youth Day was held in Rome and 200,000 young pilgrims arrived to show their unconditional love for their Christ. They walked through St. Peter's Square, meditating on the words of the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the pure in heart, they will see God. Blessed are the merciful, they will obtain mercy," projected from loudspeakers around them. This section will reflect on some of the reasons given for going on pilgrimage in the introduction and how thepilgrimage can affect someone's life." I suggest that 'the heart on pilgrimage' is the fundamental meaning of Christian pilgrimages, whatever form they take, and that this inner sense of pilgrimage is also a fundamental element of human life. "When a person goes on a pilgrimage, it is almost certain that his life will be affected in some way, positively or, in some cases, negatively. The experience of going on a pilgrimage is always memorable and can greatly alter a person's life. Pilgrimage can be described as a kind of "breathtaking experience", which leaves a person searching for a better life, either spiritually, mentally, or both. They might take the opportunity to make changes in 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, to try harder to "love God and love others." Those who go on pilgrimage seeking physical or spiritual healing often find it. If they suffer from an illness, physical or mental, by going on a pilgrimage they may see new hope and the experience will lead them to heal in some way. The most important thing the pilgrim may have to consider, when seeking to be healed, is that God may have helped him in an indirect way, which may not be obvious at first glance. If a pilgrim goes on a pilgrimage as an act of intercession for someone who has cancer, the way God might help them may not be to cure them directly, but perhaps to end their suffering in 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 start over in life. People who go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, for example: "...have expressed their desire to walk where Jesus walked." The pilgrim may be touched by his experience and, in turn, the knowledge he has gained may encourage him to change the way they live. A pilgrim may feel more inclined to do more in the way of charitable work, to follow God's ways more closely, or simply to go to church more often. By meeting new people and becoming part of a larger Christian community, the pilgrim can discover inspiration to become a better person in everyday life. They may also realize, those who are more fortunate, that they benefit from the basic things in life and this can lead them to be more kind and understanding and to use the gifts and fruits given to them by God. In general terms, after a Pilgrim has completed the his spiritual journey, he will be able to enjoy a richer life spiritually after having renewed his relationship with God and his commitment to faith. Ultimately, the pilgrim will have been given a new outlook on life and will want to do more to make him a better Christian. A minority of pilgrims, however, may be negatively affected by the pilgrimage. If their prayers or wishes were not "answered" the way they wanted them to be, the Pilgrim may lose all faith in God and abandon their religion. That's why it's important to have the ability to identify other ways God can help you, or "answer" your prayers. “Pilgrimages are not very important for Christians” I don't agree with this statement. My strongest belief is that pilgrimage is a time when Christians are away from their normal daily lives and have more time to reflect on their relationship with God. I also believe that by going on pilgrimage, a Christian can grow spiritually as they are in able to put their own.