I also believe that St. Peter's Basilica should be preserved for future generations, because of the major influences it has provided for the Christian community.  With it's importance to the Catholic people then, it still holds value after many years.  Until only recently had I discovered that the church was built on the St. Peter's tomb.  I can imagine how people must feel when they arrive to visit the sacred monument.  As one of the largest churches in history, its impact on architecture and early Christian history has provided people a place to express their faith from all over the world.  

After learning more about St. Peter's Basilica, it is now on my list of places to visit.  Do they continue to hold mass at the church today?  And if so, are the masses similar to what you would receive in regular Catholic churches everywhere else?