Stuff Catholics Like

When someone says “home of the whore of Babylon” Catholics get warm fuzzies. But what else would you expect from those who acknowledge Rome as the capital of their religion? In all honesty, Rome really gets a bad rap from Protestants. Where else can you trip over thousands of years worth of history, get robbed by gypsies and see the Pope all in one day?

For Catholics, Rome is like Disneyland. Everything you could ever want to see that is Catholic-related can be found here - Huge churches? Check. Glorious art? Check. The Pope? Check. Relics? Check. Check. And Check.

If you aren’t Catholic but would like to visit Rome, it is best to find a Catholic who is somewhat knowledgeable about Catholicism and take him with you so you can come home with some understanding about how everything from the Coliseum to St. Peter in Chains to the Catacombs all fit together. If you can take a Catholic who has actually spent time in Rome as a student, you’re in extra luck. Not only will this person be able to point out every architectural feature in the Pantheon, he will also be able to take you around the corner to Della Palma for the best gelato in Rome.

If you are Catholic here are some things you have to do while in Rome or else other Catholics will think you wasted several thousand dollars and a couple of weeks for nothing.

1) Go to a Papal audience and get stuff blessed. If you let your friends know about your trip in advance you will find yourself needing an extra suitcase to carry all the rosaries and medals that they want you to get blessed by the Pope. Extra points if you can get past the ninja nuns and actually shake the Pope’s hand.
2) Visit St. Peter’s and stay for Mass. How could you possibly go to Rome and not see St. Peter’s?
3) Stick your hand in the Mouth of Truth and scream. This isn’t really a Catholic thing but Gregory Peck might have been Catholic so it counts.
4) Go to the bone church. This isn’t something everyone does but you get a lot of mileage out of the stories you can tell.
5) Visit the Vatican Museums. Every. Last. Room.
6) Visit one of the catacombs. Ask if it’s where they filmed the Indiana Jones movie.
7) Stop by the Opus Dei headquarters and ask to see the albino monk.
8 ) Throw coins in the Trevi Fountain. See number 3.
9) Visit the church of San Clemente and ask to see the basement.
10) Get your picture taken with a Swiss Guard. Extra points if he cuts off your head with his hauberk. Maybe they’ll stick it in a box like the Church did with St. Catherine’s.