Pope Francis has stumbled in public twice in three days. On Saturday, the Pope tripped up on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, stopping his fall with outstretched arms. Two aides helped him back to his feet. On Monday, the Pontiff faltered on his way up the steps during a service at the Basilica of Read more
Posts Tagged ‘St. Peter’s Basilica’
Pope sits in pews for Mass at St Pius X tomb
Friday, August 28th, 2015
Pope Francis sat in the pews for a Mass at the tomb of St Pius X in St Peter’s Basilica on August 21, the saint’s feast day. The Pope had already celebrated Mass in his residence very early that morning and had gone to the tomb of his predecessor to pray for catechists. When the Read more
Constantine and the birth of religious tolerance
Friday, March 15th, 2013
In the midst of the activities surrounding the Papal resignation and speculation on the next choice for the Chair of St Peter, a very important anniversary has gone virtually unnoticed. In February 313 AD, in the reign of Pope St. Melchiades (311-314), the Edict of Milan was promulgated by the Emperor Constantine, a measure that Read more
Italian man scales St. Peter’s Basilica to protest economic reforms
Friday, October 5th, 2012
An Italian man eluded Vatican security and climbed the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica this week to protest economic reforms that Italy has passed to combat its debt crisis. Marcello De Finizio, owner of a beach-front concession and restaurant in Trieste, climbed the dome Tuesday evening. He unfurled a hand painted sign reading: “Help! Enough Read more