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After my last trip to the Vatican in September of 2022, I came home very disappointed. The Swiss Guards would not allow me to pass through St. Ann’s Gate, walk down the street, and take a few photographs of the outside of Central Post Office Building (see link to the story referenced below). Wanting to avoid another near international incident, I began researching the Vatican Guidebook to try to learn the secret password and/or procedure needed to get past the Swiss Guards at St. Ann’s Gate (these guys carry guns and are highly trained to handle terrorists!). Eventually, I found a procedure description, along with a fax number, and email address under “Practical Information” in the General Guide To The Vatican City, which is a book we purchased in the Vatican Museum gift shop during our 2022 Vatican City visit. Armed with this information, I began corresponding by sending emails to the Vatican.
 
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<img height='400 'src='http://vaticanstamps.org/cms/images/Vatican/20220922_112155.jpg' > Swiss Guards at St. Ann's Gate, September 2022 Down the street the trees in front of the Post Office can be seen.
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Days turned into weeks, and I was not getting any responses to my emails. I tried several of the various email addresses within the Vatican with no response. Sometime around January, my wife started planning our next Vatican trip this spring. She wanted to get tickets to the Vatican Necropolis. The researched procedure required that a faxed request needed to be sent to the Vatican. So, we began attempting to send faxes. We tried and tried for about two weeks, but could not get linked to a Vatican fax machine (the procedure specifically stated to not send emails). In total desperation, my wife sent an email, although none of my emails had ever been answered.
 
Much to our surprise, my wife got a response reply within hours of sending her email. She obtained a website link to order Necropolis tickets, and we now have tickets to visit the Necropolis on the day wanted. This inspired me to continue sending emails seeking a way to walk into the land beyond the St Ann’s gateway. My emails now carried sentences of “I have not heard back from you”. 
 
Several more weeks went by and then it happened. One night I woke up at about 2 am and decided to check the email delivery of the Daily Emails from the VPS website. Next to that email was a reply email from Vatican City! Someone had answered one of my emails!! The reply was that they had forwarded my email to the correct group at the Vatican Post Office, and I would be hearing from them shortly. Not an answer, but at least it was a promise of an answer.
 
Several days later, I did get another email confirming the procedure to be used to gain entrance through St. Ann’s Gate and to be allowed to pass by the Swiss Guard. Armed with my response email, I will be heading to St. Ann’s Gate and the Vatican Central Post Office this spring. Stay tuned, we will see what happens!
 I am also on the hunt for the little blue postal truck that is supposed to be used by the Vatican Post Office. I promise to give an update!
 
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<img height=200' src='https://vaticanstamps.org/VPS/images/296/1530.jpg'> 2013 Vatican Europa Stamp Blue Postal Truck Pictured
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References 
• Marvin Lanahan, <a href='http:///vaticanstamps.org/cms/P2view.php?id=332966'>“My Attempt To Photograph the Central Post Office Building”</a> Page 2 article from the website of the Vatican Philatelic Society website, 
• “How To Visit The Vatican City State / Practical Information / Entrance to the Vatican City”, General Guide To The Vatican City , copyright 2012 ,published by Jaca Book SpA, Milano, page 442

I asked Microsoft Co-Pilot about the history of Saint Ann’s Gate in Vatican City. Here is the answer I got (directly quoted): 
<blockquote>
The Church of Saint Anne in the Vatican, also known as Sant’Anna de’ Palafrenieri, is a Catholic parish church dedicated to Saint Anne within the Vatican City. This church serves as the parish for the Vatican City State and falls under the jurisdiction of the Vicariate of Vatican City. It is located next to St. Anne’s Gate, an international crossing point between the Vatican City State and Italy. 
Its history dates back to 1565 and is closely tied to the Pontifical Grooms, court gentlemen originally responsible for the papal stables, who had St. Anne as their patroness. The church was designed by Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola, one of the Renaissance architects, and was one of the first churches in Rome with an elliptical plan. After a smooth start, the church’s construction slowed down due to financial issues faced by the Archconfraternity. Following Vignola’s death in 1573, his son Giacinto Barozzi completed the church. In 1583, when it was consecrated, it had a temporary roof. The facade, attributed to Borromini, was completed between 1700 and 1721 by Alessandro Specchi, while the dome was finally built in 1763 and completed in 1775. 
Additionally, the Gate of St. Anne, or St. Anne’s Gate, is one of the main entrances into the Vatican City. It was constructed in 1538 by order of Pope Paul III as an entrance to the Vatican during the annexation of Borgo in 1536. The gate features a large central arch, and on either side of the arch are two smaller arches flanked by two towers. This design was inspired by the Porta Pia in Rome. 
Both these structures—the Church of St. Anne and the St. Anne’s Gate—have fascinating histories and are integral parts of the cultural and religious heritage of the Vatican City.
 
References 
 
• Wikipedia, <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant%27Anna_dei_Palafrenieri'>Sant'Anna dei Palafrenieri</a>

• <a href='http://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/ church-santanna-dei-palafrenieri'>“Church of Sant’Anna dei Palafrenieri”</a> - http://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/ church-santanna-dei-palafrenieri

• <a href='http://www.adequatetravel.com/placeguide/Vatican-City/porta-di-santa-anna-gate-of-st-anne-in-vaticancity-overview-prominent-features-history-interesting-facts'>Porta di Santa Anna (Gate of St. Anne) In Vatican-City: Overview,Prominent Features,History,Interesting facts</a> http://www.adequatetravel.com/placeguide/Vatican-City/porta-di-santa-anna-gate-of-st-anne-in-vaticancity-overview-prominent-features-history-interesting-facts 
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