St. Peter's Square
Piazza San Pietro Città del Vaticano VA
An Opening Embace for Pilgrims to Vatican City
Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and constructed between 1656 and 1667, St. Peter's Square is one of the most iconic squares in the world. When Fabio Chigi was elected and became Pope Alexander VII, he envisioned a grand piazza to welcome pilgrims. Bernini's design for St. Peter's Square symbolizes the arms of the Church.
96 statues of Catholic saints stand above the colonnades on both sides of the square. At the center of the square is an egyptian obelisk that once stood at the center of Circus of Emperor Nero at the same time that St. Peter was crucified. The square can hold approximately 300,000 people and is connected to the center of Rome by Via della Conciliazione.
On most Wednesdays at 9.00 am for the General Audience and Sundays at 12.00 noon for the Angelus, it is possible to see the Pope. For tickets, please see the link below.
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"St. Peter's Square and its welcoming environment" - EWTN Vaticano
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