Unexpected Surprises

Sometimes living in Italy and most especially in Rome can be a frustrating experience. The lack of efficiency, the complex ways of surfing the Byzantine bureaucracy, another set of standards of what it means to respect and value the public good. Surely, Italy is a modern country and like many other Western countries we have our fair share of things we can be proud of. We have a splendid landscape, beautiful cities, gorgeous mountains and a bucolic countryside, thanks to our national health service and a Mediterranean diet, we have one of the world's highest life expectancy standards, the highest in the West. 

Spend a week traveling from north to south and you'll experience the tastiest cuisine in the whole world in all its splendor. Yes, lines might be longer, Rome is loud and chaotic, but when I needed to be taken care of, and for free. We fought through the pandemic, most of us are now boosted and safer, both in mind and body, than we were two years ago at this time. The economy is not as bad as we thought it might be - but poverty exists, people are angry. The general consensus is that people are not happy overall. Will this change? Will we adopt a love for rules like some other European countries? Doubt it and in a way, I am glad. I find waiting for a green light to cross the road in a small German village at midnight, when there is no one around just as infuriating as it is to wait in three hours to get the results of my PCR test at one of Rome's hospitals. However, each country has its problems, whether it's an obsession with rules or almost the complete lack thereof. We can be thankful and confident in what we are. 

Rome is a funny place. Over the last couple of weeks, I have seen the new President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, sworn in and celebrate his re-election at the Piazza Venezia, where only 80 years or so earlier Benito Mussolini was declaring war to our former allies. The national aerobatic team, the Frecce Tricolori, flew over our heads, only a few months ago, the Patrouille de France joined them as Italy and France celebrated the new beginning of a stronger alliance. Our president is one of few good politicians whom the Italians have grown to love and respect. 

Then, I met the Pope at the Ecumenical Vespers that are held each year in January in the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls, it was once again a moving experience. I first met Pope Francis in my church of All Saints, here in Rome, when he came to visit our community in February 2017 - I led the procession and we shook hands. Since then, he's deteriorated, but my opinion of him has gotten higher and higher. He's a good and holy man. 

As it happens, I switched the tv on tonight - first, Italian news channels celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II. As an Italian Anglican, it was a moving moment to realize how your "Defender of the Faith", has managed to touch the hearts of so many around the world, beyond Britain and the Commonwealth, through years of utter dedication, hard work, and firm beliefs in her God that earned her the respect of so many. She came here many times, where she became known as La Regina, the one and only. She has shown the strength of a lion in proving her word true in her role of Fidei Defensor - a role that goes back to Constantine and passed through Byzantium, the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of France and the Russian Empire, and that she has been great enough to be able to carry it into this millenium and century. Her silent sense of dignity and humbleness has been a true gift that has often brought calm in a time of chaos and uncertainty. It is an honor to be part of this new Elizabethan Age. I give thanks for the beginning of this Platinum Jubilee year and pray that long may she reign.

Unexpectedly, today was also Pope Francis himself, being interviewed by the main national tv channel. He was asked why do children suffer. He said he doesn't know and cannot comprehend it. The answer is to be found in one's personal faith and in the relationship of the Father and the Son. What we can do is to accompany people in their struggle. That's such a dignified response to give. Sometimes pastors shouldn't try and respond with given answers to struggling parents when they cannot understand what they're going through. This time less is indeed more. 

Perhaps, this succession of events should bring one (or at least me) to realize that we have to be thankful in what we have, and that surprises sometimes are around the corner but our hearts need to be open to it. People suffer, we can walk with them. Good people exist, they're just quiet about it sometimes. Sometimes, it is our Lord Jesus Christ who can help us find them if we dedicate some time to him. People make us upset, that is because differences exist, both between countries and between individuals - let us realize that this is what they are, let us accept one another and carry on.