Pantheon and Giving Thanks

Rome

No way to tell for sure … figures run from 250 churches within the walls, to about 900 churches throughout greater Rome if you count deconsecrated ones as well. Tongue in cheek of course, it is said that they built a church on almost every corner of Rome so you could pray to cross the… (more)

The Papal Audience

Rome

“Yup, sorry guys, I don’t think I’ll make the meeting on time. I just saw the Pope duck into a church here, traffic’s a mess.” While seeing the Pope for most Romans is not too out-of-the-ordinary, participating in a Papal Audience, held every Wednesday that he is in town, is still a special event. The… (more)

San Pietro at Dusk

Rome

While walking along the nave to take in the length, width and heights of the building designed by Michelangelo (and Bramante and Raphael, among others) over 500 years ago is breath taking . . And marveling at the expansiveness of the dome, filled with mosaics and light, is to be lifted beyond one’s self .… (more)

Bari, not the North Pole

Rome

Bari is the second largest sea port in Italy, and the ancient inner city is truly lovey! Few know however that since the 11th century Bari and not the North Pole has been home to Saint Nick . . A little less than a thousand years ago, after much deliberation by the monks who looked… (more)

The small things . . . (about Italy)

Italy

It is the small things that make Italy . . well, so Italian. When walking the back streets of the old town of Assisi, known for St. Francis and his love of animals, to see in a window, a quiet and yet watchful sentry! The pride that the people take in their homes, their country,… (more)