“To the heights of history, Matteo Ricci (1552-1610): Between Rome and Peking” is at the Charlemagne Wing of the colonnade in St. Peter’s Square through January 24.

The exhibition presents Ricci’s life in two colors — the upper floor in blue for his early life in Europe and the lower floor in red covering Ricci’s life in China. It includes original handwritten manuscripts by the missioner, paintings by great masters, various scientific instruments, a reconstruction of an altar to Confucius and much else.

The upper level of the exhibition traces the priest’s early life from his birth in Macerata, Italy, 1552, through his entry to the Jesuits, his departure from Lisbon for India in 1578, and his ordination there before going on to Macau, then a Portuguese colony, and then to mainland China.