VATICAN, 3 YEARS AGO

The post dated the 25th July stated that I was in the Vatican 55 years ago.
I was also there 3 years ago, the last time so far. The European People's Party hold its Congress in Rome in 2006 and the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament had a so-called "external meeting" (out of Brussels), which I attended. An audience with Pope Benedict XVI took place in the Vatican Palace during these events, as shown: I am on the left side of the picture.
I have crossed the quiet borderline between Italy and the Vatican in some more occasions - in one, namely, me and my wife went to the terrace above St. Peter's Basilica and had a fine view of Rome from the balcony, in-between the statues of Christ at the centre, John the Baptist and eleven Apostols standing in the upper part of the façade, with the dome on the back.