101 Surprising Facts About St. Peter's and the Vatican


Book Description

What do you really know about Vatican City? The Vatican, comprising the Apostolic Palace, St. Peter’s Basilica, and various other buildings, serves as the headquarters of the Catholic Church. It has done so for nearly two millennium -- ever since the first Pope, St. Peter, made it his home. Thousands of Catholics flock to the Vatican and its iconic basilica each year. Even if you haven’t visited you’ve likely watched with bated breath for smoke to rise from behind the cupola during the election of a new pope, or have laid eyes on the new pontiff when he emerged from the balcony for the first time. But what do you really know about this great basilica and the city that houses it? Here, Father Jeffrey Kirby takes you on a whirlwind tour of this little country (yes, Vatican City is its own country, Fact # 2) and uncovers the secrets and surprising facts about the city, and its famous church.




101 Surprising Facts about St. Peter's and the Vatican


Book Description

What do you really know about Vatican City? The Vatican, comprising the Apostolic Palace, St. Peter's Basilica, and various other buildings, serves as the headquarters of the Catholic Church. It has done so for nearly two millennium -- ever since the first Pope, St. Peter, made it his home. Thousands of Catholics flock to the Vatican and its iconic basilica each year. Even if you haven't visited you've likely watched with bated breath for smoke to rise from behind the cupola during the election of a new pope, or have laid eyes on the new pontiff when he emerged from the balcony for the first time. But what do you really know about this great basilica and the city that houses it? Here, Father Jeffrey Kirby takes you on a whirlwind tour of this little country (yes, Vatican City is its own country, Fact # 2) and uncovers the secrets and surprising facts about the city, and its famous church. Discover what language degree you need to work a Vatican ATM, what architectural feature of St. Peter's is a map of the universe, and even what the pope's license plate number is. Along the way, you'll find the deep theological meaning woven into the design and architectural features of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican. Whether you've already been to Rome or are still planning your first trip, 101 Surprising Facts About the Vatican will transport you to Basilica and City at the heart of the Catholic Church -- and enable you to appreciate them like never before.




101 Surprising Facts about Church History


Book Description

Think you really know Church History? Think Again The Catholic Church is the longest-standing and the most universal of all institutions. The contributions made by Catholic men and women over the past 2000 years are most impressive, from a properly functioning calendar to the inventions of many things that we all take for granted today. In 101 Surprising Facts About Church History, Fr. Meconi, SJ walks readers through the most amazing achievements of Christ's Body on earth. From economic and mercantile developments to scientific and astronomical advances, from the cataloging of zoological and botanical species to the cherishing of beautiful music and fine arts, Fr. Meconi shows you why the Catholic Church stands as the greatest promoter of human culture and knowledge. Did you know: -A Catholic priest held the first insights into the "BigBang" theory well before anyone else? -The first prototype of today's moving robots wasfound in a medieval monastery? -Many types of food and drink have their originswithin the Church, including cappuccino, sparklingwine, and pretzels -The Holy Bible was the first work of the GutenbergPress -The Church has patron saints for all sorts of things, including headaches, ugliness, fireworks, hangoversand television Fr. Meconi's 101 Surprising Facts About Church History takes you through 2,000 years of amazing achievements and contributions by the Church and her many sons and daughters. Beautifully illustrated and chronologically arranged, this work is a reliable guide through centuries of Church figures, facts, and fun.




The Vatican


Book Description

Written by a Vatican insider and accomplished church historian, this book is a unique behind-the-scenes look at the world's smallest nation and the spiritual center of the Catholic Church. Produced with the full cooperation of the Vatican, this is a beautifully illustrated insiders guide into the 2,000-year-long history of the Vatican and papal influence, daily life and governance of the world's largest religious body, and the art collections and other priceless treasures rarely seen by the public. In addition to a unique photographic tour, the book includes personal interviews with various Vatican employees and insiders who make their home there, from a Swiss Guard to a singer in the Sistine Chapel choir. This book is an unparalleled look into life inside the Holy City.




101 Surprising Facts about the Bible


Book Description

The Bible is the Word of God, but even on a human level it stands apart. No other book has sold so many copies; been translated into so many languages; been so often adapted, recited, and performed; or took so many years (centuries!) to write.




The Vatican: All the Paintings


Book Description

Discover the artistic wonders of the Vatican, from the Sistine Chapel to Raphael's frescoes, with the New York Times bestselling book The Vatican: All the Paintings; now in a practical and elegant paperback format. The Vatican is one of the most visited sites in the world. It encompasses numerous museums and palaces, and houses one of the finest art collections known to man. Amassed by popes throughout the centuries, including several of the most renowned Roman sculptures and important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world, the Vatican is a perennial source of awe and fascination. From Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and his Pieta, to the Raphael frescoes, to the works of Giotto, Fra Angelica, Titian, and Caravaggio, The Vatican: All the Paintings is an unprecedented celebration of this great collection. The book is organized into 22 sections representing the museums and areas of the Vatican, including the Pinacotea, the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, the Borgia Apartments, the Vatican Palaces, and St. Peter's Basilica. Each one of the 976 works of art represented in this book -- including the 661 classical paintings on display in the permanent painting collection and 315 other masterpieces -- is annotated with the name of the painting and artists, the date of the work, the birth and death of the artist, the medium that was used, the size of the work, and the catalog number (if applicable). In addition, 180 of the most iconic paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of art are highlights with 300-word essays by art historian Anja Grebe and bestselling author Ross King. Here you will find information such as the key attributes of the work, what to look for when viewing it, the artist's inspirations and techniques, biographical information on the artist, and the artist's impact on history.




St. Peter's in the Vatican


Book Description

This volume presents an overview of St. Peter's history from the late antique period to the twentieth century.




101 Amazing Facts about the Vatican City


Book Description

How much do you know about the Vatican City? The walled enclave is one of the world's top tourist destinations, attracting millions of people each year with its amazing architecture and works of art. This fascinating book contains over one hundred interesting facts about the Vatican, with sections covering everything from the Sistine Chapel to the Swiss Guards, various landmarks and much more - including of course those who have held the exalted position of Pope. Whether you are looking to visit the Vatican or are just interested in the history of such as unique state, this is the perfect addition for your bookshelf.




Laudato Si


Book Description

“In the heart of this world, the Lord of life, who loves us so much, is always present. He does not abandon us, he does not leave us alone, for he has united himself definitively to our earth, and his love constantly impels us to find new ways forward. Praise be to him!” – Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ In his second encyclical, Laudato Si’: On the Care of Our Common Home, Pope Francis draws all Christians into a dialogue with every person on the planet about our common home. We as human beings are united by the concern for our planet, and every living thing that dwells on it, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. Pope Francis’ letter joins the body of the Church’s social and moral teaching, draws on the best scientific research, providing the foundation for “the ethical and spiritual itinerary that follows.” Laudato Si’ outlines: The current state of our “common home” The Gospel message as seen through creation The human causes of the ecological crisis Ecology and the common good Pope Francis’ call to action for each of us Our Sunday Visitor has included discussion questions, making it perfect for individual or group study, leading all Catholics and Christians into a deeper understanding of the importance of this teaching.




Guide to the Vatican


Book Description

This book will help you if you plan on visiting the Vatican or want to know more about it. The Vatican is an enormous place, full of artwork and history. It can even be a bit overwhelming when you visit it. Saint Peter's Basilica is filled with baroque sculptures, the Vatican Museums have art from all time periods and the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms have the most beautiful Fresco's in the world. Visiting such a place can be an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. You can make the most out of your visit by preparing it a bit. Believe me, the Vatican will make so much more sense to you if you know some of the best stories about the art and the people that created it. If you don't know what to look at, it can be really too much. In my Vatican guide book, I will show you exactly what to pay attention to. You will know exactly which artworks are considered the most important and you will know the often amazing stories behind their creation. I also included a lot of must-know tips for visitors, which will make your stay a pleasant one. Maybe you have heard of the long lines and the hours people have to wait before entering Saint Peter's or the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel? I will give you some tips on how to avoid these lines, and much more. I wrote this book as a complete guide to the Vatican. It describes the most important artworks you can find inside the Vatican. I am a tour guide in the Vatican Museums and the city of Rome itself. Besides this I also work all over Italy as a tour guide. I found that most guidebooks people have only provide very general information. Just a few hotel and restaurant recommendations and descriptions of the monuments with lots of pictures. This guidebook is completely different. It is for those people that want to have a much more profound knowledge about the Vatican and its monuments. In it, you will find detailed descriptions and maps of the Vatican museums, Saint Peter's Basilica and Vatican City. I use this book as a reference for my work as a tour guide. I hope it will give you a deep understanding of all the beautiful statues, fresco's, tapestries and paintings in this amazing place.