Temple Site - Rome through a car window

Sunday, July 11, 2010
Standing in front of the locked gate that leads onto the Rome Temple site.

A special fast has been called for this Thurday, July 15th in preparation for the final segment of the governmental approval process.

A wider view of the temple site with it's many different types of trees. Shown is Elder Burt and two women visiting our ward today, who desired to see the site. After church, we followed this black car to a hospital in Rome to visit Brother Calabrese (his wife is in the back seat smiling at us). His son-in-law, Daniele (a native Roman and proud of his town) was driving the black car and took us the scenic route through downtown Rome. We drove past the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (the first church to be built in Rome). Dedicated to John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the first among the four major basilicas of Rome. It is also the cathedral of the Pope, and is thus known as "Cathedral of Rome and of the World." Built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century. Side view.Back entrance. Tallest obelisk in Rome, and the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world, weighing over 230 tons. Brought to Rome in 357 to decorate the Circus Maximus. Found in three pieces in 1587, restored approximately 4 m shorter by Pope Sixtus V, and erected near the Lateran Palace and basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano in 1588. Approaching the backside of the Coloseum. Photos snapped as we passed by. Umbrella pines inside the ruins of the Palentine Hill. Approaching the Pyramid of Cestius an ancient pyramid in Rome built about 18 BC - 12 BC as a tomb for Gaius Cestius Epulo,(somebody important). Through a portal in the ancient wall, the 1st Special Service Force entered Rome, among the first Allied units during WWII. You can see the plaques that honor them.
Better view of the plaques.
School Bus Stop.
At the old WWII Veteran's Hospital with the Calabrese family. Brother Calabrese (volunteer in the mission office for over 15 years and the Patriarch of the Rome Stake) had laparoscopic surgery to take samples of the tumors growing in his lungs. We hope and pray that he will be back with us soon!
Daniele showing Elder Burt the best route to get back home. The roadways are lined with Oleander shrubs - driving past IKEA. Driving past the Temple site. The unique tower comes into view and we know we're almost "home". Last week we had a quick passing thunder storm. Last week we met Elder Hansen from the former Catania Mission. On the 4th of July we invited some friends for Sunday dinner.

Peachy, her neice Vasha and her friend Vincent. Notice the two fans - yes, Rome is hot!