It didn’t take long after setting foot in “Rome Termini” to grasp what lies beneath the famous saying, “When in Rome.”  From its history to its elegance to its profound spirituality, Rome has something to offer for the intellect, the disciple, and the sophisticated alike.  After arriving in Rome on the evening of October twenty-third, sipping on wine while overlooking the Colosseum was seemingly appropriate after a long day of travel.

The following day being Sunday, we had the opportunity to receive a blessing from the Pope.  Walking to Vatican City that Sunday morning with a pastry in hand,  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  As St. Peter’s Square was finally in sight, I was amazed at the number of people who were present for this spiritual occasion.

Not only was this presence encouraging, but the diversity yet unity among them was pleasantly refreshing.  For, despite the various nationalities, the Pope addressed each with the same grace as the next.

It is beautifully obvious that the spirituality of Rome is one of its most prominent characteristics.  Despite your religious beliefs, one cannot deny the serene presence that exists every Sunday at noon among St. Peter’s Square.

Yet, while Rome invites such a spiritual presence, it also begs for the intellect’s perception.  Our last day in Rome consisted of a walking tour of The Vatican City.  The walls of the Vatican are full of famous paintings, depicting both religious and pagan ideas.   In fact, some of the walls within the Vatican are covered with a dark cloth so as not to expose the sexually explicit nature of the paintings.  The intellect can embrace the insight, technique, and philosophy the painters used to depict such scenes, regardless of the religious intention behind it.

While these historical and spiritual themes in Rome remain her most prominent quality, the elegance and class that the city possesses is undeniably present.  For instance, my walking into a boutique for an effortless hair trim and eyebrow wax, ultimately ended in my walking out with slightly less hair and a lot less money.  Specifically, one hundred Euro less.

And now I see.  This is what they mean when they say “When in Rome.”