more statues on display

Dana near an exit onto the courtyard

view through a museum window

Licking the stamp for a postcard from the Vatican...

...at Vatican City's one and
only post office, located
within the museum.

droppin' it in the mailbox

Let's face it.  Anywhere Matt is
is a meat market.

Dana tries on some trinkets at the market near the museums.

decorated trees at the back
side of the little street market

Dana won't pass a handbag stall without taking a closer look.

arriving back at St. Peter's Square, 3:58 pm

Bernini's fountain

Vatican City is actually
the world's smallest country.

St. Peter's Basilica, as seen
from the other side of
Piazza San Pietro

Vatican City has its own
currency, its own newspaper,
and its own flag.

There's one of the large screen tv's which will display tomorrow night's Christmas Eve festivities.

the fountain and obelisk

The obelisk is an ancient Egyptian artifact, brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula.

Swiss Guardsmen
secure a corridor

tilting up at an entrance
to the basilica

looking east across
Piazza San Pietro from the
basilica's entrance

The obelisk has stood
here since 1586.