An Apology to the Pope

Dear Pope,

I'm really sorry I snuck into the Vatican. I feel a little guilty that I lied in the presence of divinity and history, but what did you expect when I heard about untold treasures beneath your hallowed halls? Anyways, sincerest apologies. Thanks for the memories!

Allow me to explain the aforementioned apology and how it was hands down, literally and metaphorically, a Travel Treasure.

My roommate and I backpacked Europe summer after college and spent the majority of time in Italy. When in Rome we heard rumors about an underground Scavi tour of the Vatican. Since we booked hostels last minute we assumed a Scavi tour was no different, right? After some research we discovered the Scavi tour descends 3 layers into the Necropolis of Rome, only 250 people are permitted per day, and the number of English speakers per day is even smaller than that. In order to secure a tour ticket one must send in a request to the Scavi Office months in advance. Months.

Once we read that we were sad, ok let's just say wildly discouraged. But also obsessed. We simply HAD to go. We set our alarms for 5:30am and marched over to the Vatican to see it without a soul in sight. After meandering around inside we donned our Mission Impossible faces and began the process of sneaking into the Vatican. When the guards asked I very confidently told them we had an appointment with the Scavi Office. They took me to a room to pat me down and I waved to dignitaries as I made my way through the Vatican without any idea of where to go or what to do.

The Scavi clerk was less than thrilled as I used every trick in the book to convince him to let us take the tour. He was appalled that we didn't have the forethought to request admittance to such an elite activity. Eventually he said if 2 people happened to be no-shows we could take their place. Progress is progress.

We returned at our appointed time and walked confidently past the guards, this time knowing where to go. We counted as each person walked up. We were hopeful until, alas, the 12th person walked up. Our faces fell, all of that hard work for nothing, as we turned to see the Scavi clerk slip us two tickets with a stone cold face. Our persistence, or maybe our good looks and charm, won the day.

It was, by far, the greatest tour. To touch history, to see ancient life so close. It brought me to tears. It was beautiful and tragic to see how far the world has come, especially to think we almost missed it. What a gift.