101 Surprising Facts about St. Peter's and the Vatican

What do you really know about Vatican City?

The Vatican, comprising the Apostolic Palace, St. Peter's Basilica, and various other buildings, serves as the headquarters of the Catholic Church. It has done so for nearly two millennium ever since the first Pope, St. Peter, made it his home.

Thousands of Catholics flock to the Vatican and its iconic basilica each year. But what do you really know about this great basilica and the city that houses it?

Here, Father Jeffrey Kirby takes you on a whirlwind tour of this little country (yes, Vatican City is its own country, Fact # 2) and uncovers the secrets and surprising facts about the city, and its famous church.

Discover what language degree you need to work a Vatican ATM, what archi tectural feature of St. Peter's is a map of the universe, and even what the pope's license plate number is. Along the way, you'll find the deep theological meaning woven into the design and architectural features of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican.

Whether you've already been to Rome or are still planning your first trip, 101 Surprising Facts About the Vatican will transport you to Basilica and City at the heart of the Catholic Church and enable you to appreciate them like never before.


Author: Jeffrey Kirby
Publisher: Saint Benedict Press
Published: 03/31/2015
Pages: 120
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 10.90h x 8.40w x 0.30d
ISBN: 9781618906878

About the Author
Father Jeff Kirby is a priest of the Diocese of Charleston. He holds a Licentiate in Moral Theology from the Holy Cross University in Rome. As the diocesan Vicar of Vocations for the past several years, Fr. Kirby has guided numerous young men and women in the spiritual life and in the process of discernment. Drawing on these experiences, he wrote the book Lord, Teach Us To Pray. In 2011, he founded the Drexel House, a Catholic Residence for Men.