People's Pope
It was a happy coincidence today that we arrived at 12 noon at the Vatican, when Pope Francis suddenly appeared at the Vatican Square, greeting thousands of people who had assembled for the public audience. It was surprising that he was moving through the Square in his cart shaking hands with hundreds of devotees coming from all corners of the world.
Whole Rome is in a jubilant mood as new signs of hope glitter in the Middle East because of the mediation of the Pope.
My last visit to the Vatican was in 1988 when we had the privilege of a private audience with the then Pope John Paul II, which we cherish for long. We were a group of 64 students from Bossey Ecumenical Institute, Geneva, being special guests at the Vatican for two weeks.
The atmosphere has tremendously changed here today, because of the people-oriented moves of Papa Francis.
Abraham Karickam
Whole Rome is in a jubilant mood as new signs of hope glitter in the Middle East because of the mediation of the Pope.
My last visit to the Vatican was in 1988 when we had the privilege of a private audience with the then Pope John Paul II, which we cherish for long. We were a group of 64 students from Bossey Ecumenical Institute, Geneva, being special guests at the Vatican for two weeks.
The atmosphere has tremendously changed here today, because of the people-oriented moves of Papa Francis.
Abraham Karickam
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Why in Italy?
Why in Italy a Michael Angelo, a Leanardo Davinci, a Raphael is born?
Today my friend Renata Celli from Milan called us in Rome and I remembered visiting the Milano Cathedral with her during my first trip to Italy, where "Last Supper" is painted. There I understood that a Davinci can be born only in Italy. People make an artist of the world class.
Milano people knew that the City would be bombed during the Second World War. The Cathedral would vanish. And the "Last Supper"?. Large number of People came out braving the bombs and protected that wall with the painting with sand bags. As expected, the city was bombed and the Milan Cathedral gone. But Davinchi's wall remained in tact, and, of course, the painting was saved. Is it a wonder that these great artists are born in Italy?. They love artists more than anything.
A Shakespeare can be born only during the reign of a Queen Elizabeth; a Kalidasa can flourish only in the court of a Vikramaditya. No other secret than this.
Abraham Karickam
Today my friend Renata Celli from Milan called us in Rome and I remembered visiting the Milano Cathedral with her during my first trip to Italy, where "Last Supper" is painted. There I understood that a Davinci can be born only in Italy. People make an artist of the world class.
Milano people knew that the City would be bombed during the Second World War. The Cathedral would vanish. And the "Last Supper"?. Large number of People came out braving the bombs and protected that wall with the painting with sand bags. As expected, the city was bombed and the Milan Cathedral gone. But Davinchi's wall remained in tact, and, of course, the painting was saved. Is it a wonder that these great artists are born in Italy?. They love artists more than anything.
A Shakespeare can be born only during the reign of a Queen Elizabeth; a Kalidasa can flourish only in the court of a Vikramaditya. No other secret than this.
Abraham Karickam
Re-visitin
Re-visiting Michael Angelo: two pictures that have captivated the minds of millions: Michael Angelo's Last Judgement and Davinchi's Last Supper. Yesterday I saw the Last Judgement again in the Sistine Chapel. Thousands of people line up here every day just to get a glimpse of this marvel. I know that MA started painting his pictures on the roof of this chapel when he was sixty and the work lasted eight long years. Sacrifice is the hall- mark of an artist. We usually don't recognise the suffering behind every classic achievement. Only long train of days with pain and patience bring glory, a lesson no one should ever forget.Abraham Karickam
In side the Roman Colosseum
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