Faith · People · Rome
Pope Francis has been admitted to hospital shortly after the traditional Sunday prayer in Saint Peter's Square. The Holy See's press office reports that the Pope is to undergo a scheduled operation on the intestine. Let us pray that all goes well, and that the 84-
Faith · Observations · People · Rome
Yesterday the 85-year-old Pope Francis I congratulated his predecessor and good friend, His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, on the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Benedict is now 94; he lives in a monastery on the territory of the Vatican and prays unceasingly for the Holy Church.
Faith · Society · Pop Culture · Rome · Humour
Pope Francis I Strikes a Deal with Spider-Man on Reform of the Vatican. But seriously, the man in the Spider-Man costume is a genuine superhero: Mattia Villardita, who devotes all his free time away from work to visiting sick children, whom he delights by dressing up as popular
Faith · Observations · Rome · Humour
In his customary good spirits, the Pope not only handed out autographs to the eager crowd this morning, but gladly tried on a pileolus offered to him and exchanged the gift for his own papal zucchetto. No fuss, no fanfare, and most warmly. Pope Francis is love ❤️ ps Time was
Faith · Art · Heritage · Rome
There are two Risen Christs by Michelangelo. The better known statue stands to the left of the high altar of the Roman church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. The frenzied churchmen of the Baroque age fitted this sculpture with a hideous bronze loincloth, so as not to be embarrassed by
NB! · Society · Rome
Rome was the first Axis capital to be liberated by the Allies. On 4 June 1944 American troops entered the city, although the northern regions of Italy remained under Fascist control almost until the end of the war
Art · Museums · Rome · Humour
Who are you, creature? What are you? Marble sculpture Boy in the Mask of the Satyr Silenus. 1st century AD, Villa Ludovisi. It probably captures a scene from the ritual festivities in honour of Dionysus, in which the figure of Silenus, one of his tutors, held an important place.
Faith · Observations · Rome · Humour
Three church news items, which you may rank by importance yourself:. public audiences with the Pope have resumed in the Vatican, having been suspended since November 2020 because of the pandemic; the Pope told the three hundred people gathered that he was very glad to meet them face to face;
Faith · Society · Rome
The famous photograph from last year's Palm Sunday service: Pope Francis holds a stylised palm branch, to which the history of the feast is tied. In 2021 all the Easter events in Rome have been altered on account of Covid restrictions. The number of guests at the traditional
Faith · Society · Rome
Palm Sunday was usually marked by Mass in Saint Peter's Square, but for the second year running the ceremony is taking place under strict coronavirus restrictions. In Italy the lockdown will last until Easter Sunday. In today's homily at the Altar of the Chair of Saint
NB! · Faith · People · Rome
Pope Francis at the Palm Sunday service. From tomorrow Holy Week begins for Catholics. This is already the second Easter under lockdown. For the Orthodox, Palm Sunday falls this year on 25 April
Archive · Books · Observations · Mores · Rome
Michel de Montaigne's journal for February 1581 mentions a Muscovite ambassador in Rome, dressed in a crimson cloak, a cassock of gold brocade, a nightcap-shaped hat of gold brocade trimmed with fur, and a skufia of silvery linen, who had come to ask Pope Gregory to help