the Lateran Palace, historic home of the Popes, open to the public

It is the historic home of the Popes in Rome. The Lateran Palace is now open to visitors. The Lateran is the office of the Popes, the historic room where the agreements that created the Vatican State were signed. “Thus they put an end to a quarrel between Italy and the Church that lasted more than 60 years”, says Sister Maria Agnese. The popes receive statesmen there and sometimes, in their secret private apartments, are much more modest. “In these apartments, we see their humanity, their austerity, especially for Pope Francis. But in the end, all the popes, in their private circle, were of great simplicity”, reports Mother Rebacca Nazzaro, Mother Superior.

Now the entire palace is open to the public. “I’m really impressed by the architecture and the works of art. It’s a great opportunity”, says a visitor. The palace also has French looks. The tapestries bear the royal seal of the Gobelins factory. The French kings also helped the popes to defend themselves and finance their palaces.