To Italy and back in under 90 seconds
Trinna Leong captures the Religio staff’s most memorable experiences from day 1 at the baggage claim in Rome’s airport to the farewell dinner on our last night, in a short, but poignant, video.
Photos from Day 10: Bari, The Final Frontier
Day 10, our last in Italy, saw the Religio staff take in the sights in Bari. After a walking tour of the city, we ended at the Bari Cathedral, where we marveled at the relics of Saint Nicholas.
Reflections, Special Edition: Religio’s Favorite Moments
After 10 exciting, hectic, adventurous, contemplative, exhausting and life-changing days traveling and reporting in Italy, the staff of Religio reflects on some of the standout memories that meant the most to each of them.
Photos from Day 9: From Saints to San Michele
Day 9 started off in San Giovanni Rotondo but ended rather wistfully in San Michele. Religio staffers went on a guided tour of the shrine of Padre Pio and spent the day interviewing pilgrims and local residents. We then arrived in San Michele for a visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael, a shrine dedicated to the Archangel.
Padre Pio’s Pupils: the Eyes of a Saint
Padre Pio’s piercing gaze piqued many a Religio staffer’s interest. Nathan Vickers photographed the various manifestations of Pio’s pupils throughout San Giovanni Rotondo.
Street art in the capital of Campania
A stark contrast to Rome, Napoli — as the Italians call it — is littered with garbage and graffiti. Though trash and pickpockets are everywhere, the city’s complicated history has created a unique façade for travelers to visit. Here is a collection of various photographs of graffiti in Naples, culled from the Religio staff.
Dawn in The Sacred City
An early morning run took Nathan Vickers by some of Rome’s historic landmarks. Camera in hand, he documented the city as the sun came up.
A place to pray
Bogdan Mohora profiles Bahar Dik, a Turkish Muslim student currently studying in Rome and finds out the meaning of acceptance through religious difference.
My application to seminary school
After an eye-opening tour of Pontifical North American College, a seminarian school in Rome, Neha Prakash decided to join the priesthood —in whatever capacity they may take her.
Speechless in San Giovanni
Brandon Gates on Padre Pio’s legacy of faith and the good he helped inspire.
An unlikely home for Santa Claus: March 18, 2012
Our last day in Italy saw the class leave the romantic vales of San Michele to head to Bari, our final destination. We went on a walking tour of the city, culminating in a visit to the Bari Cathedral, resting place of St. Nicholas’ remains.
The Terrible (or Terrific) Trio
Teresa Mahoney spent most of our tour of Italy getting left behind with two other mischievous companions…
From Padre Pio’s Disneyland to Saint Michael’s Cave: March 17, 2012
Andrea Palatnik reflects on a disparate serving of Saints: from Pioland to Saint Michael’s ancient caves, there was much to take in for Religio… namely, the local delicacies and the occasional snippet of information about relics.
A house for the suffering: March 16, 2012
A visit to the hospital founded by Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, raised the central question: are science and miracles mutually exclusive?
It’s all about the journey
Hoda Emam asked several members of the Religio gang how they first heard the news of their acceptance to Columbia’s Journalism School. This was sparked by the discovery that the class teaching assistant, Francesca Trianni, had been admitted to the Journalism School while on the road to San Giovanni Rotondo.
Photos from Day 8: A place for faith and healing
Day 8 saw Religio ease in, somewhat wearily, to our San Giovanni Rotondo surroundings. We went on a tour of Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital, and walked around town, discovering the varying shapes and sizes Padre Pio comes in, porcelain or bronze…
Photos from Day 7: The crafts of Naples
A collection of photos from Day 7, spent wandering the streets of Naples. From the Church of Santa Maria del Purgatorio Ad Arco, to Berlusconi figurines, Religio took it all in, cameras in tow.
“In Napoli, where love is king…”: March 15, 2012
It really was AMORE for the gang, as we spent the day gallivanting through Naples with our trusty guide and history buff, Angelo. From convents to a Neapolitan pizzas, the team covered all of this “city within a city.”
A home among the gypsies
Neha Prakash recounts how her preconceived notions of gypsies were completely overturned once she entered a gypsy camp and was welcomed with open arms.
Photos from Day 6: From the Pope to the mosque
Day 6 saw a temporary leave from contemplating the Catholic Church, after a morning with the Pope that is. We headed to the Islamic Cultural Center of Rome, informally referred to as The Mosque of Rome, for a tour of the breathtaking Mosque. The class took advantage of an unexpected free hour to take in some sights, namely the Piazza di Spagna.
Up close and personal with the Pope: March 14, 2012
From Papal shoutouts to sauntering the streets of Rome, day 6 proved to be one of the best so far.
