To quote Giuseppe Verdi, whose home town I was in today, “croce e delizia, delizia al cor”

Thanks Katie Yoder for the fun chat!!!!

Tried to tell this to the “Angels and Demons” folks, tried to tell the “Conclave” to no avail…thanks The Pillar for listening to me!

When St John Paul II had the frescoes of the Sistine chapel restored and declared it the permanent home of the conclave, he gave Michelangelo's powerful images a voice again - here some of the key visual messages in the art. pillarcatholic.com/p/what-the-sis…

After asking Saints Dominic, Anthony, Ambrose, and Charles Borromeo for help, here I am on @msnbc waiting for the first “fumata”

Amid the chaos and confusion, a few hardy and holy souls keep their focus on the Holy Year. Among the three first tasks of the new pope with be to re-energize this Jubilee Year!!!

Looking back on highlights of this week: #1 being on the roof of the Augustinianum just as the first Augustinian pope came out into the square with dear friends like Deborah Castellano Lubov and Chris Jansing For MSNBC What a day!

Now I am surrounded by old masterpieces and new in the Toledo cathedral. Newly restored El Greco and Goya w/some Luca Giordano on the ceiling, are joined by some of the greatest contemporary artists, in the permanent exhibition “Faces of Christ”

Last supper in Spain before returning to the Sistine chapel, which reopens tomorrow!

The present administration of St Peter's Basilica is a disgrace. To monetize the Holy Year they made an understaffed €7 "fast-pass" line - They call it a church, charge like a museum, then hide the Pietà behind a curtain. Plus, no one knows where to go! catholicworldreport.com/2025/05/08/mod…

The new gift shop now in the church was disturbing to me. It all feels so commercial. And they must stop blocking St. John Paul II’s tomb with a curtain, too! Massive amounts of pilgrims come to visit him and are left with unbendable security to shout them down amid tears.

In the joyful spirit of this new pontificate, I am going o have little fun tomorrow night traipsing through history and looking at the good, bad, and amazing things done by popes named Leo. What's in a name? Find out tomorow at 2:00pm ET mastersgalleryrome.teachable.com

Pope Leo XIV formally greeted the Mayor, took possession of St John Lateran and dropped by St Mary Major yesterday! So Exciting! I'll be celebrating our new pope today with a talk on the fascinating popes who have chosen the name Leo. May 26 2:00pm ET mastersgalleryrome.teachable.com/p/the-papal-li…

🦁 The Papal Lions: Leo XIV and His Predecessors Join Liz Lev Elizabeth Lev LIVE today at 2:00 PM ET for a deep dive into papal power, legacy & intrigue! Free + unforgettable. All are welcome 👉 mastersgalleryrome.teachable.com/p/the-papal-li… #ChurchHistory #Vatican #CatholicTwitter

Another soul-crushing day at St Peter’s. First the throng of people paying Peter’s headset tax to the sound of flushing toilets-this is the route to get to the tomb of St Peter. Then the Pietà still veiled from the eyes of tourists. 25 yrs of tours-WORST administration ever!

Happy Pentecost! While I was communing with Caravaggio this morning, our Masters' Gallery Rome intern braved the throng at the Pantheon Mass and got this great picture! Packed city, joyous crowds, wonder and beauty everywhere! The Holy Spirit certainly came today!

Day 62 of the Pietà captivity. Hidden behind a curtain, visible only to those entering the Holy Door where one is hustled past without the possibility to stop and contemplate the cost of our salvation. Cardinal Gambetti, Tear Down This Wall!

🗓️ June 23 – Live Webinar with Elizabeth Lev Explore how three roads from Piazza del Popolo shaped Baroque Rome—uniting faith, power, and design. 🎟️ Register now: mastersgalleryrome.teachable.com/p/the-trident-… #Rome #Jubilee2025 #ArtHistory #UrbanDesign #Webinar

Some of my favorite things: art, pilgrimage, urban planning, all in one talk! Plus a few surprising facts! Hope to see you there!

A jaunt through Rome before vacation!