Saint Peter's Basilica

Saint Peter's Basilica
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St. Peter's Basilica is a major basilica in Vatican City, an enclave of Rome. St. Peter's was until recently the largest church ever built (it covers an area of 23,000 m² and has a capacity of over 60,000), and it remains one of the holiest sites in Christendom.

Ancient tradition has it that St. Peter's Basilica was built at the place where Peter, the apostle who is considered the first pope, was crucified and buried; his tomb is under the main altar. Other popes are also buried in and below the basilica. Contrary to what one might reasonably assume, St. Peter's is not a cathedral - the pope's cathedral is St. John Lateran.

Saint Peter's Basilica
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Not only is Saint Peter entombed here but you can also view the embalmed body of Pope John Paul XXIII who died in 1963, he lies in a crystal coffin with a wax mask covering his face.

The relics here include a piece of the spear that was used to pierce the side of Jesus on the cross.  The veil used by Veronica to wipe Jesus face while on his way to crucifixtion, and the head of martyred apostle Saint Andrew.  As our guide explained, the more relics a church has, the more visitors, money and power follow.