Today is our last day in Rome. We started by heading to the Vatican again, however this time we picked up tickets and proceeded to enter the auditorium where Pope Benedict XVI would be giving a weekly prayer. We brought along some crucifixes to be blessed.
![Waiting for the Pope Waiting for the Pope](http://jpopek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_2859-300x225.jpg)
![Pope Benedict XVI greeting us Pope Benedict XVI greeting us](http://jpopek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_2865-300x225.jpg)
After visiting the Pope, we headed to our last destination in Rome: the Pantheon. Lyle, Matt, and I weren’t able to see it last year, so it was great to finally visit it. Although we were worn out with museums and churches, we took a quick tour and got some good pictures.
![Katie inside Pantheon Katie inside Pantheon](http://jpopek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_2914-300x225.jpg)
![Justin inside Pantheon Justin inside Pantheon](http://jpopek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_2929-300x225.jpg)
During our visit to the Pantheon, we noticed some protesters assembling. Although we couldn’t understand the signs, they seemed pretty serious so we hung around to see if it escalated. It certainly did.
![Protestors camping outside of Pantheon Protestors camping outside of Pantheon](http://jpopek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_2955-300x225.jpg)
![Roman riot police observing the protests Roman riot police observing the protests](http://jpopek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_2949-300x225.jpg)
Although we left shortly after the police arrived, apparently riot shields were used later in the afternoon.