Author: Pilgrim Kompass Team

The Pope introduces Spes non confundit, the bull announcing the Holy Year 2025, with a strong emphasis on compassion for prisoners, immigrants, the sick, the elderly, and youth impacted by drugs and corruption. He calls for the forgiveness of debts for poor nations, advocates for increased birth rates, the integration of immigrants, and the preservation of the environment. Amidst these significant initiatives, it was declared that the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica will open on December 24, 2024, marking the start of the Ordinary Jubilee. The Jubilee will conclude with the closure of the Holy Door on January 6,…

Mastering the Art of Perfect Pasta When it comes to pasta, there’s more than meets the eye. Italians take pride in their pasta dishes, and for good reason. To truly make the perfect pasta, you need to pay attention to a few key details. 1. Weigh Your Pasta In Italy, pasta portions are smaller than what you might be accustomed to. Each person typically consumes around 3-4 oz of dried pasta, which equates to about 7-8½ oz when cooked. This is because pasta is served as a primo, a first course, followed by a secondo, the entree. By controlling your…

Pope Francis Sends Aid to Flood Victims in Brazil The Archbishop of Porto Alegre and President of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB), Archbishop Jaime Spengler, has announced that Pope Francis has donated approximately 100 thousand euros to the Brazilian Nunciature to aid the victims of the devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This generous gesture from the Pontiff, facilitated through the Apostolic Almoner, aims to provide concrete assistance to the numerous displaced individuals who have lost their homes due to the natural disaster. Archbishop Spengler, leading the efforts to distribute the funds, states that the sum…

Welcome to the Jubilee of 2025: Building Hope in a World of Uncertainty As Pope Francis stood before the faithful to celebrate Vespers after officially proclaiming the Jubilee of 2025, he spoke of the importance of being builders of hope in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties. The Pope’s message resonated with the crowd as he urged Christians to embrace the gift of resurrection and find courage in the face of adversity. “Christian hope gives us the courage to build a fraternal and peaceful world when it seems barely worth the effort,” he emphasized. The Theme of the Jubilee…

Welcome to our guide on how to get to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome! Unfortunately, the stadium is not well served by public transport from the city center, but fear not, we have all the options laid out for you right here. Option 1: Taxi or Uber If you prefer a more direct route, taking a taxi or Uber is feasible. However, be prepared for the possibility of being diverted to the highway north of the stadium during the pre-match period. Want to know more about Rome’s rules around Uber? Click here. Option 2: Bus While many bus lines in…

December 4, 2020 They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the same can be said for our renovation project at the UW Rome Center. Over the past six months, we have made significant progress on the first floor and are excited to announce that we are nearing completion! From installing new electrical systems to laying down beautiful tile floors, the transformation has been remarkable. Kitchens have been set up in the apartments and the communal “Relax Area,” walls are prepped for painting, lighting is in place, and fire safety measures have been implemented. The final touches include bathroom…

Healing Ethiopia: Bishop Calls for Unity and Peace In a nation torn apart by political and social strife, an Ethiopian Bishop is calling for unity and peace. Bishop Teshome Fikre Woldetensae, Coadjutor Bishop of the Eparchy of Emdeber, believes that religious leaders have a crucial role to play as mediators to heal the divisions plaguing the African nation. Speaking on Ethiopian TV, Bishop Fikre emphasized the responsibility of both religious institutions and the government to guide the country towards development and away from conflict. He lamented the shift from a people of faith and humility to a nation rife with…

Revolt of the Taxi Drivers: Rome Braces for Nationwide Strike Get ready, Rome! Taxi drivers across Italy are gearing up for a massive protest on 21 May, as trade unions officially announced a nationwide strike. The decision comes after failed negotiations with Industry Minister Adolfo Urso in the heart of Rome, leaving the drivers feeling unheard and unsatisfied. The unions were seeking reassurances from the minister regarding various issues that have been plaguing their sector, with a particular focus on the regulation of digital platforms. Unfortunately, it seems like their concerns fell on deaf ears, prompting them to take drastic…

Why Renting a Car in Rome is a Bad Idea Looking to explore Rome and the beautiful countryside of Italy? Renting a car may not be the best option. Here are some reasons why you should consider alternative modes of transportation: 1. Limited Parking in Rome City Center Most hotels in Rome city center are within a ZTL (limited traffic zone) and don’t have parking. This means you’ll have to park in the suburbs or a garage and pay extra while you explore the city. 2. Difficult Driving Conditions Driving in Italy is different from what you’re used to -…

Alexander Meddings Verified writer GUIDED TOURFrom €55.00 Barcelona Tipsy Tour Averaging only 55 days of rainfall each year, Barcelona is blessed with a temperate Mediterranean climate. But it’s not immune from spells of heavy rain, especially during the cold season. And while you’re bound to get wonderful weather most year-round, your trip could coincide with one of those rare rainy days, which especially fall around those colder autumn months. But don’t get down in the dumps if the heavens start to open. Barcelona is still an awesome place to spend time, even on a rainy day! To help you find…