Colosseum

The Colosseum was built between 72 A.D and 80 A.D under the Emperor Vespasian, in the heart of Ancient Rome. Made from stone and concrete, this magnificent monument was built with the man power of tens of thousands of slaves. The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater (meaning “theatre in the round”) in the world! Oval in shape, and about the height of a 12 story building. This brilliant building had 80 entrances and could seat approximately 50,000 spectators. It is considered to be one of the greatest Roman architecture and engineering works. 

It is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre because it was built during the Flavian dynasty. Several different events were held in the Colosseum including gladiator contests, mock battles and animal hunts, and dramas that were based on Classical mythology. The first games ever to be held were in 80 A.D, under Emperor Titus (the son of Vespasian), and they ran for 100 days straight. Games continued to be held for centuries to come – gladiatorial games until the fifth century and animal hunts until the 6th century. The amphitheatre was used for entertainment for 390 years.

Vatican

The Vatican City State is an independent sovereign state and the smallest country in the world by size, Its territory is completely surrounded by Italy and it is only one of three countries in the world that are enclaves of another country (the others being San Marino, also in Italy, and Lesotho in southern Africa). Also, it is the only country in the world that is an enclave of a city, as all of the land around it is part of Rome, the capital of Italy. The Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and its government, the Holy See.

Pope

The current Pope, Pope Francis, was elected on 13 March 2013.

The Pope has three roles:

• religiously, he is called the the Bishop of Rome
• politically, head of state of the Vatican City
• for our church, he is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope has full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the universal church in matters of faith and morals, as well as in church discipline and government.

Popes are elected by Cardinals (high level church leader) of the Catholic Church. Once they are elected they hold the position until they die or resign, but only one Pope in 500 years has resigned. 

Picture: Pope Francis celebrates his installation Mass at St. John Lateran Basilica, Rome, 7 April 2013

During his life, Jesus had a small group of friends who followed his leadership and believed in him to be the son of God. These friends were call disciples and select group were men called the Apostles. St. Peter was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, and the first leader of the early Church. According to Catholic doctrine (law) the pope is regarded as the successor (next in line) after St. Peter.

Movie time!

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