From Mercy to Charity

We had planned to go to Pompeii today but did not fancy the idea of being in the hot sun without shade and also we really feel "ruined" out. Instead we had a quiet day and began by visiting the Church of St Pudentiana which is not far from here. In it is the picture of Our Lady of Mercy and thankfully the church was open. 

From there we walked to the Trevi Fountain amidst crowds of people and on past the Gregorian University where Steve had studied. 

From there we headed to the Pantheon a place which never ceases to amaze. This structure was built in 126 AD as a Roman Temple and in 609 became the Church of St Mary of the Martyrs. When one gazes up to the hole in the ceiling it is incredible how the pillars in the form of a circle can hold this huge ceiling. 

Painting of the Annunciation in the Pantheon

After lunch we went to find St Philip Neri's church but it was closed so we walked along the Tiber to the Island where the John of God Hospital has been since the year 1584. Pope Benedict XIII asked the Brothers (Fatebenefratellli) to come to Rome in that year. We sat and watched the turtles in the fountain and Steve took some good photos of them sunning themselves. The chapel was closed but we saw a lot of evidence of John of God presence around although no brothers.

High rise turtles... in the John of God Hospital

Give us a hand up Fred