​The emperors Constantine, ruling over the western empire, and  Licinius ruling over the eastern roman empire in 313ad  met in the city of Milan on occasion of the wedding of Licinius with Constantia,  Constantine’s sister.

The meeting took place in the splendid imperial palace and in that occasion administrative instructions were sent to  functionaries throughout the empire.
They were aimed to reinforce a decree issued by Galerius in 311 which gave the Christians the status of a legitimate religion. The two emperors ordered also that Christian communities were returned all their properties.

Later historians named it ‘Edict of Milan’.
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In Easter week there are many celebrations in the Vatican. Travelers that wish to visit Rome has to remember  that the visit of Saint Peter Basilica can be difficult, while the Vatican museums are closed on April the 8th and 9th.
 
The liturgical calendar and activities of the Pope in 2017 Easter week :
 
Sunday April 9th
Palm Sunday and Passion of the Lord 
Saint Peter's Square, at 9:30: PAPAL MASS
 at 12:00 Angelus
 

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I Iove Rome and constantly reflect on how, along the centuries the city has been modified by the the Emperors, the popes, the wealthy members of the aristocracy and of the  church, and finally the Italian government.

I know when streets were opened and why, when squares were embellished, when church were built or remodelled.

​Why and who decided and paid for all of this amazing urban ornament we can still enjoy now.

​Every March 15th we got an appointment.
In Largo Argentina square, where the Curia of Pompey used to be, we meet and participate to the re-enactment  of the assassination of Julius Caesar that occurred 2061 years ago now!
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The Curia of Pompey is not visible but we know that it lies underneath the Teatro Argentina. The square is fascinating and keeps a vivid memory of the past due to the remains of four republican temples visible in its centre on a lower street level.

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One of the oldest laws, dating back to the kingdom era, was the  prohibition for soldiers to camp in town.
The flat area of ancient Rome next to the Tiber river is where the army settled.  
This neighbourhood is still named ‘Campo Marzio’ – the field of the god of war Mars (Ares in Greek) now. 
Rome is a city where we live with the awareness of our history and  the name  ‘Campo Marzio’ is an example of it: we still recall what happened there over 2000 years ago.  When in imperial time the same area was given splendid public buildings and facilities the army moved across the river in the area known as Vatican.

Neither  the army nor the military leaders were allowed in the city of Rome.
According to this law generals, who were also consuls or senators,  couldn’t join the political meetings held in the senate house in the Roman Forum.

​Santa Francesca Romana is the patron saint  of drivers and Roman motorists.
She is also the patron saint of Rome, together with saint Peter and saint Paul. This popular tradition of invoking Francesca to protect motorists started as a consequence of  the diffusion of cars in 1951. 

The monastery of Tor the Specchi continues nowadays to be the house of the congregation of the Oblates of Santa Francesca Romana, an order the saint Francesca founded in 1425. The monastery is the place where she lived  form 1436 till the end of her life in 1440.
The little cell where she slept is still visible today in its pure simplicity.
Its located in the very heart of Rome, just below the capitol hill but open to the public on March 9th only. 
The monastery is still located in the same house that Francesca purchased in 1436 to be the residence of her religious community of ladies.  It’s quite untouched since then. The oratory and refectory have wonderful frescoes ornaments and cycles splendidly well preserved.
The artists accomplishing these frescoes in 1468 are believed  to be Antoniazzo Romano, Benozzo Gozzoli and their schools.

Saint Francesca is one of the most venerated roman saint and the patroness of the Romans.

She lived in Rome at the beginning of the 14th  hundreds.

Francesca Ponziani  belonged to an aristocratic family and accepted to get married even if she wished to undertake the monastic life.

She was renewed for the care and asistence she paid to the sick and humble people.

She manage to  accomplish her family duties and find time to assist the needy and pray.

After her husband passed away she finally took the votes.