The Vatican's Secrets

A restrained air of excitement permeated our group as we penetrated deeper into the musty tunnels of the 2,000-year old catacombs. Only a select few were allowed into this ancient burial ground, a subterranean city of the dead with streets and doors leading into mostly pagan tombs. I halted at one tomb decorated with a mosaic that looked remarkably Christian, graced with a haloed male figure. But, no, this was an image of the pagan god Solus Invictus, the ``unconquered sun,`` sporting his trademark corona.

We passed many more tombs, finally arriving at our destination. This was not an elaborate grave, but rather one that would have suited an ordinary fisherman such as would be found in my home province of Nova Scotia. However, the simple fisherman to whom this sepulcher belonged was St. Peter, the right-hand man of Jesus Christ. The story of this discovery, and the reputed relics of St. Peter, would be worthy of a sequel to Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. Many meters above us, unwitting masses of people trudged through the nave and transept of St. Peter`s, the huge cathedral dedicated to this humble fisherman. Millions each year view the art treasures that fill this monument to the man most Catholics consider the first pope, as well as the ``rock`` upon which the early church was founded.

A marker erected not long after Peter`s death, reputedly at the hands of Nero Caesar, identifies this as the apostle's grave. Peter had traveled to Rome to spread the gospel, and had ended up being crucified himself. It is said he requested that he be crucified upside down, as he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his master.

If I had X-ray vision and stared directly at the roof the the burial chamber, I would have seen above me a chapel built by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD and dedicated to St. Peter. Beyond that I would view the elaborate Baldacchino, a Baroque bronze masterpiece serving as the canopy for the High Altar. Higher yet I would spy the magnificent dome of St. Peter`s Basilica, designed by Michelangelo.

FINDING A SAINT