Rome in the news: Pope calls for ceasefire in the Middle East as Vatican activity dominates headlines. Capable of more: capital of Italy, Lazio’s hub.
Jet-fuel shortages are disrupting travel systems, with airlines cancelling flights and diverting routes. Passengers are advised to be flexible, rebook when possible, and check policies on refunds, vouchers, and insurance. Regulators warn disruptions could persist as fuel availability tightens.
Italy has purchased a 1598 portrait attributed to Caravaggio of Maffeo Barberini, later Pope Urban VIII, from a private collection. The painting, a key work in Caravaggio's rediscovery, will join the Palazzo Barberini collection after negotiations lasting over a year, strengthening Italy's cultural heritage.
As of March 11, 2026, the UK government’s first charter evacuation flight from Muscat, Oman, to London was delayed on March 4 due to technical and operational issues but has since departed. Over 140,000 Britons are registered in the Middle East amid escalating US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The UK is conducting one of its largest repatriation efforts, with commercial and charter flights ongoing.
As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, Pope Leo expressed dismay over ongoing violence in the Middle East, urging for peace and diplomacy. He highlighted concerns over civilian casualties, including children, and the situation in Lebanon, calling for an end to hostilities.
England's rugby team faces a difficult Six Nations campaign, suffering three consecutive losses including a historic defeat to Italy. Despite support from the RFU, questions about coaching and discipline persist as the team aims to recover for upcoming fixtures.
Rome is undertaking extensive restorations of historic sites, including a 5th-century basilica near the Colosseum, funded by €500 million EU recovery funds. The project focuses on cleaning and restoring ceilings, sculptures, and relics, with completion expected by May 2026.
Tech billionaire Peter Thiel has held private lectures near the Vatican on the biblical Antichrist, drawing criticism from Catholic scholars and institutions. The event, which explores apocalyptic themes linked to technology and theology, has heightened tensions over the intersection of religion, politics, and AI in Rome.
Ivory Coast has received back the Djidji Ayokwè, a 400kg carved wooden drum looted by French colonial authorities in 1916. The drum, used to alert locals to forced labor and mobilize fighters, was displayed at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris. Its return marks a significant step in cultural restitution efforts.
Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, numerous flights have been diverted or turned back mid-flight, including dozens of 'flights to nowhere.' Dubai International Airport experienced a drone strike that caused temporary closures and diversions, impacting thousands of travelers worldwide. Flights are gradually resuming amid ongoing security concerns.
Restoration work at Rome's Colosseum has uncovered ancient artifacts and reconstructed parts of the semicircular piazza outside the arena. The project included laying new travertine slabs sourced from original quarries, revealing coins, statues, and a secret underground passage. The work coincided with the opening of new subway stations beneath the site.
A new book by retired FBI agent Geoffrey Kelly revisits the 1990 Boston museum theft, dismissing theories involving the Corsican mob and IRA. Current investigations focus on Boston mobsters linked to Carmello Merlino, with two deceased suspects resembling the thieves. The FBI offers up to $10 million for information.
On the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' 2016 document 'The Joy of Love,' Pope Leo praised its message of mercy and hope. The document, which sparked controversy over remarried Catholics receiving Communion, emphasized pastoral care and mercy over strict adherence to doctrine. Leo called for continued reflection and church reform.
Recent visits to the Santa Maria Sopra Minerva cloister in Rome uncover its rich history, including papal conclaves, Galileo's interrogation, and notable figures like St. Catherine of Siena and Fra Angelico. The site remains a significant cultural and religious landmark, with frescoes and relics dating back centuries. (Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:05:09 +0000)
Pope Leo XIV led Good Friday observances in Rome, emphasizing social justice and criticizing the misuse of Christianity for domination. He called for accountability among authorities and urged dialogue to end conflicts, including the Iran war, while reflecting on Jesus' message of liberation and love.
The UK has experienced its warmest April day on record, reaching 26.6°C in London, driven by southerly winds from Europe. This brief heatwave has shifted to cooler, unsettled weather with rain, gales, and snow in some areas. Temperatures are expected to stay near seasonal norms next week, with ongoing variability.
A rediscovered Rome manuscript containing Caedmon’s Hymn has been confirmed as the third-oldest Old English copy, with the accompanying Historia Ecclesiastica among the fifth-oldest surviving versions. The find, linked to Nonantola and later movements, underscores the value of digitised libraries in revealing long-lost texts. Researchers say the Rome copy places Old English verse in the main text and illuminates its linguistic development.
Researchers have digitized a 9th-century Rome manuscript of Bede’s Ecclesiastical History and identified Caedmon’s Hymn embedded in the Latin text, making it the earliest known English verse. The find is dated to the 9th century, three centuries earlier than the previously earliest 12th-century copy. Magnanti and Faulkner say the discovery underscores the early diffusion of English.
Giovanni Galizia, longtime cover of the so-called sexy priest calendar, has not taken holy orders. The Calendar Romano shoots feature men in clerical attire; La Repubblica has raised questions about its authenticity, while the Vatican has not commented. The calendar is produced independently and sells mainly around Rome.