The Vatican means so much to so many, beyond the obvious religious connotations, it is steeped in ancient tradition and architecture, and dressed in incredible art from some of the worlds most admired painters and sculptors.

To capture the essence of the Vatican, one needs to look beyond all of this, and focus on the people, the disciples, the priests, and of course the pope. As together they make this space something beyond a typical touristic location.

In her incredible Vatican series Agata Kowalska documented a day in the life of the Vatican, and the people that call it home.

“Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you (…) Do this in complete faith and confidence.” John Paul II

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” Luke 12:2

“And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.” Judges 8:23

“I walk in the way of righteousness and within the streets of judgment.” Proverbs 8:20

“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen”. 1 John 4:20

“The cross means there is no shipwreck without hope; there is no dark without dawn; nor storm without haven.” John Paul II

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand”. John 10:27, 10:28.

“We must trust in the mighty power of God’s mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new.” Pope Benedict XVI

“Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised.” Song of Solomon 8:7

“Faced with today’s problems and disappointments, many people will try to escape from their responsibility. Escape in selfishness, escape in sexual pleasure, escape in drugs, escape in violence, escape in indifference and cynical attitudes. I propose to you the option of love, which is the opposite of escape.” John Paul II

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

Agata Kowalska is a freelance documentary, culture and travel photographer based in Berlin, Germany. The main focus of her photographic work lies in capturing the human condition in its natural surroundings, tackling issues of environmental and social nature. Agata has been published in the Amnesty Journal and CNN among others. Her work can be viewed here: ak-shot.com