
Amidst unprecedented security measures, tens of thousands of pilgrims flocked to Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City early Tuesday for Pope Francis’ inauguration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy and the opening of the Holy Door. The crowds started arriving
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.8 Dec 2015, 3:44 AM PST0

Historical souvenir vendors from the oldest Roman Jewish families took to the streets this week in protest of new regulations that forbid street vendors from selling their wares near the Vatican. Though ostensibly a security measure, the vendors—called urtisti—see the
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.6 Dec 2015, 6:36 AM PST0

Like a Catholic Uncle Sam, Pope Francis is telling priests from around the world, “I want YOU to hear confessions!” The Vatican has begun wholesale recruitment of priests to devote themselves to preaching forgiveness and hearing the confessions of repentant faithful during the upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.18 Aug 2015, 10:45 AM PST0

Adding to Rome’s worst July heat wave in recorded history is a series of delays on public transportation due to strikes, along with no union agreement for the upcoming Jubilee Year in which some 33 million pilgrims are expected to visit the Eternal City.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.30 Jul 2015, 11:34 AM PST0