Dear Blog Readers — As I made my through the center of Rome down Via del Corso one day after work this week, I came upon this man drawing his version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” on the sidewalk. Since I am a big fan of street performers, I stopped to take a look […]
Painting a Picture in Rome Read More »
Dear Blog Readers — Here is a brief post on the Pope’s visit to Assisi. Last Friday, October 4th, Pope Francis made a whirlwind trip to the Umbrian hill town of Assisi, home of his namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi. He came in a helicopter from the Vatican and arrived at 730 am and seemed
A Day in Assisi Covering Pope Francis Read More »
I heard the news on the car radio as I was heading to Assisi to cover the Pope’s visit there. Two hundred and fifty people missing after a floundering ship full of immigrants caught fire and sunk half a mile from the shore of Lampedusa. A frenetic rescue operation was underway involving local fisherman, Coast
Into the Deep Blue Cemetery off Lampedusa Read More »
Dear Blog Readers– Yesterday I was in Florence listening to detailed discussions of blood stains, a bra clasp and sperm spots during the opening hearing in the re-trial of the Meredith Kercher Murder. By now, anyone interested in the news has already gotten it, so I will give you just a bit of behind-the-scenes atmosphere.
Blood Stains, a Bra Clasp, and Sperm Spots Read More »
Dear Blog Readers — This post is just for those of you who are interested in the Pope, the Vatican and the Catholic Church. I found the interview that Pope Francis gave to a Jesuit journalist so fascinating that I am going to pull out long quotes on various topics and put them in below.
The Pope Interview Read More »
He’s blown off the Papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace to sleep in a residence, he doesn’t bother with red shoes or fancy lace, he makes cold-calls to people who write him letters, he gives homework at his weekly audience, he kisses every baby he can, and stops to hug anyone who is sick or
The Revolutionary Pope Read More »
Dear Blog Readers — Yesterday I covered my favorite film so far in the festival, it is a documentary called “The Unknown Known” about former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Given where the US stands now — poised to attack Syria — the documentary is chilling. Today I was lucky enough to have a
Donald Rumsfeld – The Cheshire Cat Read More »
Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson left hearts pounding in Venice after her appearance to promote her latest film “Under the Skin.” In the film, Johansson plays a sexy alien on a road-trip through Scotland seducing and destroying men along her route. Over the course of her journey she begins to gain some sensitivity and human emotions.
Swooning over Scarlett in Venice Read More »