Flanked by a Trastevere police station and a Regione Lazio office tower that puts the brute in “brutalist”, the Roman neighborhood where the unassuming Church of San Francesco a Ripa Grande is located doesn’t seem like a place for a saint.
So appreciate your comment and your always insightful reading. Hope all is well in NYC. We made it to the funeral today in St. Peters-- was one of those experiences that it will take a minute to process.... Abbracci!
Beautifully written, Eric! We would love to visit this church and special space on our visit this summer! Aiden chose St. Francis as his patron saint for his Confirmation in March. We can’t wait to hear about your experience last Saturday. We were thinking of you both as we watched from afar! What a time to be in the neighborhood!
I know exactly where the Church of San Francesco a Ripa Grande is, but I've never been inside and didn't know much about its history. We'll check it out the next time we are in town. The Bernini sculpture is worth a visit in itself.
We departed Rome the morning of Pasquetta and didn't hear about Papa Francesco's passing until we were already at the airport. His humility and advocacy for the disenfranchised will be missed.
Ahhh, the art of living simply… Easier said than done, but Italy definitely seems like the right place to master it! Living the simple (and slightly chaotic) life myself here in France. Subscribed — excited to follow your adventures!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about these two amazing men. I'm in Sicily now, so even though I can't be in Rome, I feel closer. On my next visit to Rome, I will visit St Francis in Trastevere.
So glad you liked it! That's very cool about Aiden choosing St. Francis as his patron saint-- I think he chose very well. A fascinating character. It's an interesting church to visit (requires a bit of patience as you have to wait for the brother who takes care of the church to show up) but the Bernini sculpture is fantastic and the idea that you can still visit where St. Francis actually stayed is kind of incredible.
Was a very busy week on Borgo Pio-- we did make it to the funeral on Saturday and got closer than we had anticipated, given the crowd of roughly 400k. I'm not usually one for crowd scenes like that, but it felt like one of those rare moments to witness history. We made it through almost all of the 2 hour plus service, but bailed when it got too hot. We went around the corner to our favorite pasticceria and listened to the bells ringing from the courtyard....
Yes, the Bernini sculpture is definitely a highlight. But there are a number of interesting things to see at San Francesco a Ripa-- the brother who takes care of the church is happy to show you around (but you often have to wait for him to show up). We heard about Papa Francesco's passing at the train station on Pasquetta-- heading to Bologna. I agree- he was a very unique figure in these strange and disconcerting times: humble, compassionate, and genuinely devoid of cynicism.
Thanks so much-- wonderful to have you as a subscriber. Must admit though, things get a bit chaotic here in my Italian life as well, but that may be more reflective of me than the country. I'm aspirational when it comes to "living simply". Really appreciate you commenting, and subscribing!
So appreciate your comment and your always insightful reading. Hope all is well in NYC. We made it to the funeral today in St. Peters-- was one of those experiences that it will take a minute to process.... Abbracci!
What a lovely commemoration. Special you could be there to celebrate his life.
A beautiful vignette.
Beautifully written, Eric! We would love to visit this church and special space on our visit this summer! Aiden chose St. Francis as his patron saint for his Confirmation in March. We can’t wait to hear about your experience last Saturday. We were thinking of you both as we watched from afar! What a time to be in the neighborhood!
I know exactly where the Church of San Francesco a Ripa Grande is, but I've never been inside and didn't know much about its history. We'll check it out the next time we are in town. The Bernini sculpture is worth a visit in itself.
We departed Rome the morning of Pasquetta and didn't hear about Papa Francesco's passing until we were already at the airport. His humility and advocacy for the disenfranchised will be missed.
Ahhh, the art of living simply… Easier said than done, but Italy definitely seems like the right place to master it! Living the simple (and slightly chaotic) life myself here in France. Subscribed — excited to follow your adventures!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about these two amazing men. I'm in Sicily now, so even though I can't be in Rome, I feel closer. On my next visit to Rome, I will visit St Francis in Trastevere.
I feel like I was right there with you and C...moving, sad yet peaceful. Thank you, Eric!
Addio Papa Francesco 😢
So glad you liked it! That's very cool about Aiden choosing St. Francis as his patron saint-- I think he chose very well. A fascinating character. It's an interesting church to visit (requires a bit of patience as you have to wait for the brother who takes care of the church to show up) but the Bernini sculpture is fantastic and the idea that you can still visit where St. Francis actually stayed is kind of incredible.
Was a very busy week on Borgo Pio-- we did make it to the funeral on Saturday and got closer than we had anticipated, given the crowd of roughly 400k. I'm not usually one for crowd scenes like that, but it felt like one of those rare moments to witness history. We made it through almost all of the 2 hour plus service, but bailed when it got too hot. We went around the corner to our favorite pasticceria and listened to the bells ringing from the courtyard....
Yes, the Bernini sculpture is definitely a highlight. But there are a number of interesting things to see at San Francesco a Ripa-- the brother who takes care of the church is happy to show you around (but you often have to wait for him to show up). We heard about Papa Francesco's passing at the train station on Pasquetta-- heading to Bologna. I agree- he was a very unique figure in these strange and disconcerting times: humble, compassionate, and genuinely devoid of cynicism.
Thanks so much-- wonderful to have you as a subscriber. Must admit though, things get a bit chaotic here in my Italian life as well, but that may be more reflective of me than the country. I'm aspirational when it comes to "living simply". Really appreciate you commenting, and subscribing!
Feel so fortunate to be here at this moment, though I wish we could have experienced the prime of his ministry. Thanks for the comment.
A good and faithful servant if there ever was one....
I agree-- the casket says it all. Francesco, like St. Francis before him, had a keen idea for the images and metaphors that would convey his message.
Enjoy Sicilia!! Such a wonderful place. And next time you're in Rome, please let me know. Would be fun to grab a coffee together!