News & Views
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Diary of a Pilgrim – Part VIII
The Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) which was finished in 1762 is certainly the most famous fountain in Rome. Apparently, the name of the fountain derives from the Latin word trivium, meaning “intersection of three streets”.When walking towards the fountain, the crowds get bigger and bigger. The intersection of the three streets also means that…
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Diary of a Pilgrim – Part VII
The Trinità dei Monti church is situated above the double staircase which leads down to the famous Piazza di Spagna. The church was built as a Franciscan church in 1503 and is one of the so-called francophone churches.Standing in front of the church but below its stairs and looking down the hill, neither the staircase…
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Diary of a Pilgrim – Part VI
The Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of Saint Mary Major) is the fourth of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome that the group from Bamberg visits.This basilica is the largest Marian church in Rome, and most recently, has become even more important as Pope Francis chose it as his burial place. It was built in…
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Diary of a Pilgrim – Part V
The square around the Lateran Palace is amazing: the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, the Basilica of St John Lateran, the Porta Santa, the Scala Santa and the Lateran Obelisk. Pilgrims and tourists are chatting, pointing to these buildings, taking pictures, crossing the streets and merchants trying to sell souvenirs…. If Rome didn’t…
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Diary of a Pilgrim – Part IV
The Basilica of St John Lateran or St Giovanni in Laterano is the third of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome that the group from Bamberg visits.It is one of the most important churches in Rome as it is also the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Rome which means that it is the seat…
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Diary of a Pilgrim – Part III
St Philip Neri CO, an Italian Catholic priest who lived in the 16th century is said to have been a promoter of a spiritual mission for all and a call to service to others. He played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation, especially within the city of Rome.In 1553, Neri started the tradition of making…
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Diary of a Pilgrim – Part II
The Basilica of St Sebastian – the first stop in Rome. There are four different groups of pilgrims participating in the same pilgrimage and this is the first time they meet.The way to this basilica is beautiful for the travellers who are driven, but certainly not easy for the bus drivers. The roads are small…
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Diary of a Pilgrim – Part I
Diary of a Pilgrim (Part I)
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Welcome to Pope Leo XIV
Within only a couple of days the cardinals chose the new pope: Robert Francis Prevost.We learned that he was US American and that he chose the name Leo XIV. Since Pope Francis has been sick and especially since he passed away, we heard about many possible candidates to become the new head of the Catholic…
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Eulogy for Pope Francis….
For several weeks we were praying for Pope Francis as he was seriously ill. Given his age, his health and the huge responsibility that was certainly burdening him, we knew that we were praying for him not to suffer and to be at peace when it was time for him to go. For him to…