Why is Rome important to us as Christians?

Constantine was the son of St Helen. He was the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire. Two important events marked his reign. He made Christianity a lawful religion in Roman society, and he founded the city of Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

When Constantine killed Maxentius in the battle of the Milvian Bridge, in 312 AD, he marched triumphantly into Rome. After the victory parade was over, Constantine decided he wanted people to remember this victory, and he put up a large stone triumphal arch, to remind people that he had won this important battle.

The story and history of Saint Peter. Peter was born at Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee. Peter, whose name was originally Simon, was a fisherman along with his brother Andrew. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was first a follower of John the Baptist and then became the first apostle of Jesus. Andrew introduced his brother Simon to Jesus. 

The name Peter, meaning 'rock', was selected by Jesus to indicate that he would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. Peter was a faithful follower of Jesus although at the Last Supper Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times following his death. At the time of the arrest of Jesus, Peter cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest with a sword but then, as had been predicted, he denied three times that he had never known Jesus. 

Peter then travelled to spread the Gospel and was in Rome in 63AD during the rule of the Roman Emperor Nero. In 64 AD Nero set fire to Rome and blamed the Christians for its destruction. Peter was one of the Christians who was taken prisoner and was sentenced to death by crucifixion.  Saint Peter was crucified with his head downwards because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same manner and posture as his Divine Master. St Peter is buried in a tomb under the Basilica in Rome. 

The next significant time in Rome’s history was the Renaissance Period. 

The Renaissance occurred from the early 14th century to the late 16th century.
The Renaissance was a time of great beauty and art.  Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo created greats works of art during this time.  Writers like William Shakespeare were producing their own masterpieces.

The word 'renaissance' is a French word which means 'rebirth'. The people credited with beginning the Renaissance were trying to recreate the classical models of Ancient Greek and Rome.

Michelangelo, an artist, sculpted The Pieta, which depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of her son Jesus Christ after his death. It has been created in many different forms by various painters and sculptors. Of all the great paintings and sculptures on the Pieta, however, the one by Michelangelo stands out from all the rest. He also painted the Sistene Chapel, which we got to see on our tour of the Vatican Museum. 

During Henry the  8ths reign, he broke away from the Catholic Church and set up the Protestant Religion. Catholic Priest had to train in secret in Rome,. Priests from UK went to the English College. We visited the college and celebrated Mass there with Fr John, Fr Tony and Fr Dan. 

The Pope lives in Rome. We were lucky enough to see the Pope and listen to his speech about being one with Christ.