26, A New Statue in an Old Piazza: Angels Unawares Mini Pod
Pope Francis recently inaugurated a new statue in Piazza San Pietro, the first new statue there in four centuries. Called Angels Unawares, it calls attention to the plight of refugees and migrants and...
10 Des 202011min
25. Giuseppe Garibaldi: The Man and His Monument
Of the Four Founders of Modern Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi lived the most colorful life and—at least on the field of battle—made the greatest contribution to the new nation. He fought tirelessly for fre...
8 Des 202024min
24. Pods in the Pipeline Mini Pod
I here preview four different podcasts I'm working on at the moment. The most pressing is on Garibaldi, and I hope to have it ready to go by December 8, but it is challenging, for his life was so full...
3 Des 202012min
23. A Second Visit to St. Peter's Basilica: The Piazza and Colonnade
After 1200 years, the first Roman basilica dedicated to St. Peter was torn down, and then began the slow process of building a new one on the same location. We discuss why it took so long to build the...
1 Des 202021min
22. Generosity and Violence Behind the Building of the Colosseum Mini Pod
Today we glance at why the Flavian Emperors may have built the Colosseum and how they put themselves in a position to do so. What did such vast public works projects have to do with the rise and fall ...
26 Nov 202012min
21. A Second Look at the Colosseum: The Structure Itself
This podcast discusses the Colosseum as a building, including its overall shape, the huge awning that protected the spectators from the hot Roman sun, the foundations needed to support it, and its dec...
24 Nov 202022min
20. A Secular Roman Monument Gets Religion Mini Pod
Although its exterior is utterly devoid of Christian symbols, the Monument to King Victor Emmanuel II has a Christian chapel deep within it. Why is it there, and how does its message relate to that of...
19 Nov 20208min
19. Modern Italy's Main Monument to Itself: the Vittoriano
Modern Italy's largest, most expensive, and most eye-catching monument goes most often by its nickname, the Wedding Cake. It is huge, bright white, and covered with a wide variety of allegorical statu...
17 Nov 202021min
