I visited the Vatican in May 2004 with 4 friends when we traveled to Rome. We had the most amazing time, the view from the top of the Basilica is awesome. Be prepared for a lot of climbing to get to the top but you can get this great view of St. Peter’s Square. You can take the elevator up about halfway, the rest inside the dome has to be done by foot, it’s pretty steep and sometimes very small, not great for people with agoraphobia but amazing non the less and well worth the climb.