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The greatest tragedy has struck the peoples of Turkey and Syria on Monday 6 February

The greatest tragedy has struck the peoples of Turkey and Syria on Monday 6 February. Two earthquakes, of magnitude 7.8 and 7.7, have affected vast territories in both countries. It is hard to judge as a non-specialist, but the epicentre of the earthquakes seems to lie in

Architecture · Geography · Heritage · Rome

Under Mussolini, Rome's Metro Line B was built a few metres from the Colosseum

In the 1940s the Rome Metro was laid in close proximity to historic monuments. Line B passes a few metres from the Colosseum. Did anyone worry about possible damage to the ancient buildings? Mussolini, at any rate, was untroubled: he proclaimed a policy of the most direct route, that is,

Archive · Faith · Rome

Consistory of Pius XII on 18 February 1946: a colour photograph of the ceremony appointing 32 new cardinals

An extremely rare colour photograph of the papal consistory of 18 February 1946. A cardinal kisses the slipper of Pope Pius XII as a token of obedience and devotion to the Pontiff. The rite precedes the bestowal of the cardinal's red galero hat. On that day 32 new

NB! · Faith · Observations · Rome

In the Vatican, Christmas Is Over

In the Vatican, Christmas is over. But we still have the Old New Year and Epiphany to come

NB! · Faith · Observations · Rome · Humour

Francis reflects that in the tenth year of his papacy he has been left the only Pope in the whole Vatican

Faith · Monarchies · Observations · Rome

Believers’ doubts about the validity of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation

In February it would have been 10 years since Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world by resigning. I remember that day very well, and my own state of shock. Yes, this extraordinary situation astonished many, but it has never quite left me in peace. If one looks into it, the

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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died today at 9:34 Rome time in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican

Faith · Monarchies · People · Rome

While a sixth of the earth's landmass chops its salads, in the first Rome they pray on bended knee for Pope Benedict XVI and keep the windows open, lest the tolling of bells announce the pontiff's death

On 28 December the Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced a rapid deterioration in the condition of the Pope Emeritus, owing to his venerable years, of course. Francis I, who visited Benedict on the morning of the 28th, asked for prayers for him in his hour of great weakness, beseeching God

Archaeology · Archive · Art · Rome

Photographs of the 1885 excavation of the Terme Boxer on the Quirinal Hill in Rome

Footage from the excavation of one of the most famous boxers in the world. The so-called Boxer at Rest was found in Rome, on the Quirinal Hill, in 1885. Fortunately, a photographer happened to be present at the dig, and we can watch this bronze athlete of the 2nd-

NB! · Faith · Art · Observations · Rome

What charming sandals the Virgin wears in Carlo Maratti's "Flight into Egypt" in the Irish church of San Isidoro in Rome

Faith · The East · Observations · Rome · Humour

Pope Francis and the Magi

Am I the only one who finds it strange, this joyful meeting of the Bishop of Rome with Chaldean astrologers, Zoroastrian priests and sorcerers?

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