St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Italy. May 25, 2017

The fortification walls around the Vatican were built following an attack by the Saracen pirates in 846 AD. Pope Leo IV ordered the construction of the 39 foot tall wall, which was mostly completed in 852, to protect the basilica. The walls continued to be expanded and modified until the 1640s. May 25, 2017

The wall and the entrance to the Vatican Museum in Vatican City, Italy. Vatican City is an independent city-state that covers just over 100 acres and is governed by the Pope. It has a population of about 1,000 and prints its own stamps, issues passports and license plates and operates its own media outlets. May 25, 2017

The Scala Santa or Holy Stairs, are white marble steps encased in wooden ones and pilgrims scale the stairs on their knees. The Scala Santa, across the street from St. John Lateran in Rome, Italy, are said to be the legendary staircase Jesus descended after being condemned by Pontius Pilate. May 25, 2017

The statue of Emperor Constantine the Great at San Giovanni in Laterano or St John Lateran in Rome, Italy. Constantine dedicated this original church to Jesus the Savior confirming Christ’s superiority over the pagan gods. May 25, 2017

The decorated ceiling of the San Giovanni in Laterano or St. John Lateran, in Rome, Italy. May 25, 2017

The 15th century mosaic and stone chipped floor inlaid in a geometric pattern in San Giovanni in Laterano or St. John Lateran, in Rome, Italy. May 25, 2017

The 15th century mosaic and stone chipped floor inlaid in a geometric pattern in San Giovanni in Laterano or St. John Lateran, in Rome, Italy. May 25, 2017

The 15th century mosaic and stone chipped floor inlaid in a geometric pattern in San Giovanni in Laterano or St. John Lateran, in Rome, Italy. May 25, 2017

The high altar and the 14th-century Gothic canopy of the San Giovanni in Laterano or St. John Lateran, in Rome, Italy. May 25, 2017

Above the 14th century Gothic ciborium at the high altar of the St. John in Lateran in Rome, Italy, are the appearance of Saint Peter and St. Paul. May 25, 2017

The papal cathedra or throne in the apse of the presence of San Giovanni in Laterano or St. John Lateran, in Rome, Italy. May 25, 2017