HOLY SH**
Written: Feb 26 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A great historical and religious relic
Cons: Intimidating and uninviting to non-Catholics
The Bottom Line: I feel that this state is a must-see for Catholics on pilgrimage but an eyesore and soul strain for others.
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| opinerin's Full Review: Holy See (Vatican City) |
After trudging around Rome on a sunny January day, I was less than excited about my visit to the sovereign state of the Pope. As an agnostic, I felt that the site would be more of a history lesson than a spiritual moment. When one first arrives in St. Peter's Square, the expanse of the square is stunning.The mid-afternoon sun shone down on the large square with the nativity scene still set up. There were some people there but not an overwhelming crowd. As I glanced up and around the ineptly named "square", I saw the statues of the Saints. It was an interesting design. I couldn't help but feel that if these humble people could see their likeness in this place that many would not be particularly thrilled. It wasn't that the statues were overdone but if these were the supposed martyrs of their faith, wouldn't the fact that their image was permanently on display go against their very nature?
Anyway...
The "square" itself was the best part of the Vatican for me because it was the only point where I felt a presence. That presence emanated from the people and nature outside. It wasn't the statues or the nativity scene or the ornate structures. All of those were meaningless in the face of the beauty of the sunshine and happy people. This was not the case within the Cathedral. After clearing the security checkpoint and entering the cathedral, I felt that it was all too much. It didn't seem to be a place of worship to God but rather a place of fearful worship to the Popes. History lessons on the atrocities committed by the Pope in the "name of God" were replaying in my head.
Another thought came to me as I took in the cavernous, cold interior. While in another Italian city, Bologna, the tour guide explained why the cathedral was unfinished. I seemed that the Pope of that time was irked that Bologna's Cathedral would be larger than St. Peter's. He blocked the completion of the cathedral.
The cathedral itself was cold and uninviting for me. The Popes immortalized in their statues glared down at me as if I had committed some great sin by not bowing down to them. At no point did I feel the presence of spirit as I had outside. I shivered my way around the Cathedral but could not force myself to gaze about as the other tourists were. As soon as I exited, I felt as if a great weight had been lifted from me. My companion said it was from guilt that I felt this way but I can definitely rule that out. I was raised Protestant and never had the inundation of Hell and guilt that Catholics have.
I will comment glowingly on the clean bathrooms though! Very nice.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
opinerin
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Location: Massachusetts
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Cynical, positive, contrary, and opinionated college grad with liberal, humanist ideals.
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