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.
Jetex founder says private aviation has grown post‑COVID, with Middle East leading expansion; company plans to expand in Saudi Arabia as eVTOL and urban mobility gain traction. Market worth ~$50.6B with 24k–25k jets active; high-end travel driving demand amid regional tensions.
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.
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.
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.
The Italian coastguard has recovered bodies after a boat packed with refugees capsized near Malta. A fishing boat has rescued about 48 people, with the vessel believed to have departed from Libya. EU talks on asylum returns and new rules are unfolding as rescue operations continue amid ongoing crossings that have claimed many lives this year.
Across Rome, tens of thousands have protested migration policy as a far-right plan to push hardline measures advances to parliament. Demonstrations featured anti- and pro-migration marches, with police deployed to keep groups apart. The debate ties to a 50,000-signature petition and to Italy's broader migration strategy.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said Donald Trump’s remarks about their May/June G7 encounter are “completely invented,” and she asserts Italy does not beg. The dispute follows Trump’s comments that Meloni asked for a photo during Evian’s G7 summit, which Ta jani cancels a US trip in response. Several outlets report contrasting versions of the exchange and Italy’s rebuke.