Today, I was gifted with the opportunity to experience the magnificence of St. Peter’s Basilica. The moment I walked in, my emotions were taken over by the shimmering, gold accents which are intricately placed among the arches and walls. Michelangelo included rich shades of red and blue, which popped out and grabbed my attention. Not only did he coordinate the colors to make them stand out to the human eye, but he also made sure all the structures were symmetrical. After Michelangelo created the basilica, Bernini came in and built the Baldacchino, which has a detailed roof with massive, spiraling pillars at the base. The basilica is in the shape of a cross, and the Baldacchino is placed in the center; however, it is not perfectly symmetrical with the rest of the building. When I entered the basilica, I instantly realized how small I am as a human being, but at the same time, it hit me how amazing we truly are. We are all so tiny compared to our earth, yet we carry the mental and physical capabilities to create whatever we want. Michelangelo’s entire life was centered around art and the impact it has on himself and others. St. Peter’s Basilica shows the power of faith in religion and determination in humans. In order for Michelangelo to decorate the inside of the basilica or paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or sculpt the Pietà, he had to believe in a higher power, while believing in his own immortal abilities. Pietà was one of the main aspects of the church that moved me emotionally. When I paid close attention to Mary’s facial expression, it ripped my heart out, because I thought of my own mother grieving the loss of me or one of my brothers. The strength of a mother’s love is like no other. The Pietà statue made me excited to become a mother one day and put my entire heart into loving my future children, but it also scared me. It is frightening to love someone to that extent, with the knowledge that everyone dies at some point. That was the message that spoke to me while I examined the meaningful sculpture. It’s amazing how different of an experience it is to see a building or piece of art in person, as opposed to online or in a picture.