7 facts about St. Peter Basilica. 1️⃣ **World's Largest Church**: St. Peter's B…

7 facts about St. Peter Basilica. 1️⃣ **World's Largest Church**: St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world, covering an area of 15,160 square meters (161,000 square feet) and holding over 60,000 people. 2️⃣ **Michelangelo's Dome**: The iconic dome was designed by Michelangelo and completed by Giacomo della Porta. It stands 136 meters (448 feet) tall, making it one of the highest domes in the world. 3️⃣ **Vatican’s Centerpiece**: St. Peter’s Basilica is built on the site where Saint Peter, one of Jesus' apostles, was buried after his martyrdom in the 1st century. 4️⃣ **The Pietà by Michelangelo**: Inside the basilica, you'll find Michelangelo's famous sculpture, *Pietà*, which depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus. It was created when Michelangelo was only 24 years old. 5️⃣ **The Baldachin**: Above the main altar stands the magnificent Baldachin, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It's made of bronze and stands 29 meters tall, symbolizing the presence of St. Peter's tomb beneath. 6️⃣ **A Layer of History**: The basilica was built over the remains of a 4th-century church, which itself was constructed above the tomb of Saint Peter. 7️⃣ **Papal Blessings**: Every Sunday, the Pope delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, which can be viewed by thousands in St. Peter’s Square.