Today is our last day in Rome and we have a special final series of events.  Our first stop is the Church of St. John Lateran, the Pope's Church as Bishop of Rome and within the country boundaries of Vatican City.  We celebrated Mass in one of the main alters.  Although this current church is only 150 years old, much of the inside has been reproduced from the early churches.  We then went across the street to the Church of the Holy Stairs, which enclose the stairs that Jesus walked on during his meeting with Pontius Pilot during his Passion.  They are covered in wood to prevent wear, and there were many pilgrims there ascending the steps on their knees saying a prayer on each step.  Our next stop was Santa Croche Gerusalemme -- one of the most significant, yet least visited churches in Rome.   In this church are relics of the Cross of Christ, two of the thorns of Christ's crown of thorns, some dirt from the spot of the Crucification and other significant relics collected by St. Helen in the fourth century.  The church is subdued, small and a wonderful place for reflection.

Our final stop, the most significant for me, was a visit to the St. Peters Scali - the excavation under St. Peters.  The genesis of this excavation was the desire by Pope Pius 11 to be buried underground.  As the construction of his final place of rest under the main floor of the Basilica started, workers discovered archaeological remains of the ancient Roman acropolis that was buried during the construction of the original Constantine basilica as Vatican Hill and the Vatican Circus was dismantled.  Pius the 12th boldly authorized further scientific excavation of the area.   As excavations continued, scientists were authorized to explore further and further towards the area directly under the vaulted alter of St. Peters, the historical site of the grave of the Apostle.  In short, due to a series of miraculous circumstances, the niche containing the relics of St. Peter were found and certified both theologically and scientifically.  As a tribute to his bold decision, Pius the 12th is buried closest to the relics of St. Peter in the Papal burial chamber beneath St. Peters.

The final stop on the tour is a visit to the viewing area under the vaulted alter of St. Peters to solemnly view the 10 boxes containing the relics of St. Peter - the most holy of historical spots for Christians - housed in the niche where they were place nearly 2 millennium before as part of the Constantinian Memorial to St. Peter - the spot where ancient early Christians came to pray to the Apostle, the rock of the Christian church.  For me, it was a life changing event in my spiritual life.  I am still coming to grips with that experience.

This was a remarkable trip.  Our group of Pilgrims have become life long friends and our experiences were significant in our lives.  For me it was a trip without equal.  Whether you are a person of Christian faith or not, the artistic and historical elegance of Rome and other ancient Italian cities is exquisite - with more to discover each time you visit.