Week 6: 325

Before the pope starts two of his major speeches, he starts off with the line “To Rome and to the world.” This simple statement opens up many avenues into Italian culture. It creates an atmosphere of unity among all nations, while emphasizing the Roman bond.
After reading Barzini, he mentioned something in the beginning of chapter sixteen that caught my black eye. After talking about Rome’s aging beauty, he states, “He must not allow himself to be deceived. He must look beneath the surface.” Rome has more to offer than meets the eye. It silently creates a universal spirit, in which everyone is connected. What is it about this place that makes everyone feel like family? Is it the ruins? Is it the art? Regardless of the cause, Rome includes the world in all its glory.
One of the best examples of this universal quality is the papal audience. There were people from all over the world coming together for the same cause. Standing in front of what seemed like thousands of Spanish people, I felt comforted. Our language barrier and different cultures seemed to fade away. We were united. We were influenced by the universal spirit that Rome produces. If I could thank Rome for anything, it would be its ability to create an “and” rather than an “or.”