Faith · Monarchies · Rome

Duration of papal conclaves from the thirteenth century to the election of Francis I

The conclave that elected Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła, 1920-2005) was held from 14 to 16 October 1978 and lasted 3 days. The election was concluded on the eighth ballot. The conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Alois Ratzinger, 1927-2022) in 2005 lasted only a single

Faith · Society · Rome

Conclave to elect the new Pope likely to begin in the Vatican in early May 2025

Usually a conclave to elect a new Pope is convened 15–20 days after a death or abdication, as was the case with Benedict XVI, the previous pontiff. But in 2013 Benedict XVI granted the right to hold a conclave immediately after his abdication, without waiting the 15 days. The

Faith · Society · People · Rome

Pope Francis Has Died

Pope Francis has died. As of today, 21 April 2025, he had reached the age of 88 years and 4 months. Pope Francis was elected on 13 March 2013. As of 21 April 2025, he had occupied the papal throne for 12 years, 1 month and 12 days.

Archaeology · Mores · Rome

Roman fullonica found during Rome metro works next to Caligula's palace

While building a new line of the Rome metro, archaeologists have discovered an ancient Roman laundry, a fullonica, in exceptional condition. The find was made not far from the Vatican, next to the recently excavated palace of the Emperor Caligula. The fullonica they have uncovered has preserved its buckets for

Architecture · Faith · Heritage · Rome

San Saba church in Rome, founded in the 6th century for Greek monks who fled Palestine

One of the Most Extraordinary Churches in Rome: the Basilica of San Saba on the Lesser Crest of the Aventine Hill. Mere walls of old plaster and a mere floor, one would think; yet in the Roman church of San Saba they form a veritable chronicle of styles. The church

NB! · Architecture · Monarchies · Heritage · Rome

On the second day of their Italian visit, King Charles III and Camilla toured the Colosseum

NB! · Faith · Society · People · Rome

Pope Francis's First Public Appearance After Hospitalisation

NB! · Archive · Cinema · People · Rome

Clint Eastwood Skates Around Rome in the Spring of 1964

Archive · Architecture · Faith · Books · Rome

The Raising of the Obelisk in the Vatican

"On the Vatican Temple and Its Origin", Carlo Fontana

NB! · Faith · Rome

Last Night at the Vatican

Faith · Observations · Society · People · Rome

Pope Francis shows signs of improvement, but prognosis remains cautious on the thirteenth day of hospitalisation

This is how Pope Francis looked at the general audience in the Vatican on 12 February 2025, two days before his hospitalisation. Although the Pope's condition is reported to be showing signs of improvement, Vatican officials have stressed that "the prognosis remains guarded", as his hospitalisation