This is the Vatican

And St. Peter's Square, the physical heart of the Church on Earth. On my hurried (and once lost) way to 5pm Mass, I passed through the Square, and it's bowl-like shape. Like the arms of the Church reaching out to the world, the pillars surrounding the Square reach out into the Roman city. This is where the pope so often addresses the people-- this is where millions have celebrated Mass (from daily to canonizations to Easter). Here, here is where the Church shines triumphant and powerful, universal and motherly, earthly yet eternal.

And that small triangular thing next to St. Peters: that would be the Sistine chapel.