Books · Rome · Humour

Caesar replied with amusement, on seeing the decrepit aspect of one weary and broken soldier of his guard, who had come to ask for leave in order to die: "So you suppose that you are still alive?"

Seneca

Archaeology · Archive · Architecture · Books · Rome

Montaigne on the ruins of ancient Rome beneath the foundations of new buildings

The ancient Roman would not have recognised the layout of his own city, were he to behold it. It has often happened that, on digging deep into the earth, men have struck the top of a very tall column which "still stood at its full height below." For

Faith · Monarchies · Rome

Papal ferulas from Paul VI to Leo XIV and the new ferula with the motto In illo uno unum

Last week, at the closing of the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the liturgy with a new papal ferula. The silver ferula with a crucifix was first used by Saint Paul VI in 1965, on the occasion of the closing of the Second

Faith · Society · People · Rome

Pope Leo XIV: Pride Lies at the Root of Political Conflicts

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Heritage · Society · Rome · Ethnography

Rome to introduce an entry fee and visitor cap at Trevi Fountain square from 1 February

From 1 February, entry to the square in front of the Trevi Fountain will cost $2.35. No more than 400 people will be allowed on the square at any one time. These measures are intended to reduce the excessive pressure of tourism on the landmark. Today the fountain receives

Faith · Books · Rome

The Vatican's publishing house has issued a new edition of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection's "The Practice of the Presence of God", which, in the words of Pope Leo XIV, shaped his own path to knowing the Lord and loving Him

The Vatican's publishing house has issued a new edition of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection's "The Practice of the Presence of God", which, in the words of Pope Leo XIV, shaped his own path to knowing the Lord and loving Him. The Pontiff has

NB! · Faith · Reportage · Rome · Ethnography

A Nativity scene in the window of a Roman city bus displayed at the "100 Presepi" exhibition in Saint Peter's Square on Christmas Eve

Architecture · Faith · Art · Heritage · Rome

The church of Santa Bibiana by Rome's Termini station and its Bernini sculpture

The very ancient church of Santa Bibiana is now almost built into the Roma Termini railway station, and in fact is barely visible behind the station's buildings. Inside the church, in the main altar, lie the relics of the saint. Besides such holy objects as the column at

Faith · Books · Observations · Rome

Julien Green on Pope Pius XI's blessing in Saint Peter's Square in 1935

Hundreds of young German Catholics in the square shouted "Heil!", stretching out their right arms. Shortly after noon I found myself in St Peter's Square, among several thousand people. From the balcony of the loggia the Supreme Pontiff (Pius XI, Pope from 1922 to 1939) blessed

Faith · Cinema · Mores · Rome

The late myth of executions involving gorillas and chimpanzees in Ancient Rome

Stills from the 1932 American historical film "The Sign of the Cross", on ancient Rome and Nero's persecution of the Christians. The execution scene involving a gorilla or chimpanzee belongs to a very late myth about Roman mores. There is no confirmation that such a practice

Architecture · Heritage · Society · Rome

Worker injured in Conti Tower collapse during restoration in Rome has died

In the centre of Rome, on Largo Corrado Ricci, a medieval tower has collapsed, built around 1238 by the brother of Pope Innocent III as the residence of the powerful Conti di Segni family. Last night one of the workers who had been trapped beneath the rubble died of his

Architecture · Faith · Art · Observations · Heritage · Society · Paris · Rome

Review of the month from Serebrennikov's “Hamlet” to the robberies of French museums

For those who skipped a great many lessons, let me remind you that we began October with an introductory course in alchemy, and then spoke. 📌 about works of art stolen by the Nazis 📌 about the fate of Pompeii after the eruption of Vesuvius 📌 about why one should not refuse Donald