A long leg came shooting out and smashed into the blue “colpitore” with such force that I jumped. WHOMP! I was sitting several meters away and had been expecting the kick but the force and intensity startled me. Italy’s Olympic silver-medal Taekwondo champion Mauro Sarmiento was warming up. He is 1,95 meters tall (nearly 6’ […]
Italy’s Gentle Giant with a Killer Kick Read More »
Today marks the 7th anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI. The period before and after the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI was probably the most professionally intense of my life. There were great challenges to keep job and family afloat. It was also incredible thrill,
The Election of Pope Benedict XVI – A Mamma’s View Read More »
Yesterday I got the fun assignment of covering Woody Allen’s presentation of his latest film, “To Rome with Love”, starring Woody himself, Penelope Cruz, and Roberto Benigni among others. Despite being the “world premiere” Woody personally chose not to let the foreign press into the morning press screening because the film was dubbed into Italian
Covering “To Rome With Love” Read More »
Every year I enjoy covering big events at the Vatican. Aside from my job as a journalist who needs to cover the event and worry about the significance of the Homily and the health of the Pope, I enjoy the show. The Vatican knows how to put on visually dramatic, spectacularly colorful, deeply meaningful performances.
Palm Sunday at the Vatican Read More »
Dear Blog Reader: I have not posted in a week which I understand is an eternity in the busy blogsphere. However, I have been busy with my job, first I went back to the Island of Giglio to do more reporting on the shipwrecked Costa Concordia ( see A Chilling Conversation and Kevin’s Puzzle), and then
Restoring Greatness Read More »
Dear Blog Readers, I have been busy this week preparing for today’s Consistory during which 22 men were raised to Cardinals. During a majestic ceremony today in Saint Peter’s Basilica, each of the Cardinal-designates knelt in front of the Pope who placed a Cardinal’s red biretta hat on each one’s head and slid a cardinal’s
A heavy, wet snow fell over the Vatican Friday night creating a deep sense of gloom and doom around the small city-state following a shocking front page story Friday morning revealing a plot to kill the Pope. The news story was the culmination of what appears to be vicious infighting behind Vatican walls. The Italian daily
Report of Plot to Kill the Pope Read More »
Dear Blog Readers: I am gearing up to cover a Consistory at the Vatican on February 18th and 19th during which Pope Benedict XVI will create 22 new cardinals. Eighteen of these new “Princes of the Church” will be eligible to vote for the next Pope in the next conclave. A Consistory is always a
Watch Your Tongue, Hands, and Eyes Read More »