Inside the Vatican

"For five years, it had been my dream to cover the Vatican, the extraordinary community that is the world's smallest nation, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, and an unparalleled repository of art and architecture. As a photographer, I wanted to capture the human side of this age-old institution. With the help of many insiders who have since become close friends, and with the blessings of Pope John Paul II, I was given the rare opportunity to lift the veil of privacy for a privileged look inside the Vatican." -James L. Stanfield, Photographer