The Pope’s passing away

April 4, 2005 · Filed Under Uncategorized · Comment

Unless you happened to have been very well off beaten tracks at the time, you will, by now, be well aware that the Pope has died. TV programming has just about returned to normal, after having dwelled upon the death to an amount which almost bordered on bad taste. But then this is Italy and the Pope being one of the fixtures round here, you would expect a certain amount of furore, wouldn’t you?

Strangely enough when I was at work today no mention of the event was made by either my students, apart from one indirect reference, or by those working for the very Italian institution at which I ply my services as a teacher of English. I found this a little strange, having been witness to the enormous amount of media coverage which the sad event generated.

At a more ‘grass-roots’ level, one of our friends, who we thought was a Buddhist, went to a memorial service held in Milan’s Duomo. So she was obviously affected by the event in some way. Her father even has this theory that the next Pope will be the last Pope ever and that he will be black. His hypothesis stems from the predictions of Nostradamus, interestingly enough. Why will the next Pope be the last? Well, it seems that the Muslims will rise and take over the world.

On the subject of the next person to fill the Papal seat, I have heard that another strong contender for the white smoke from the Sistine chapel is the current Cardinal of Rome, one Camillo Ruini. One thing I did learn from one rather interesting program about Vatican city and St Peter’s was that apparently any member of the Roman Catholic clergy could become a Pope, but seeing as there are so many, the list of aspiring Popes has been short-listed, if you could call it that, down to the one of the 117 Cardinals which exist.

I have to admit that it is rather interesting to be here at this time and to be able to observe the various reactions which this event has provoked. However the picture being painted by the media (World’s greatest Pope) , does not really seem to be the same as the image at street level (sad event, but one of those things which happens), which I find a little curious.

Still, I shall be keeping a curious little eye on the smoke which will emanate from the famous chimney of the rather well known chapel down there in Rome. It will be interesting to see who will become the next occupant of the Vatican, and if he happens to be a coloured gentleman, well…..

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Tags: Italian, Italy

A right mess.

April 4, 2005 · Filed Under Italian politics · Comment

Or so it would seem. I am referring to the provisional results of the local elections which were held here on Sunday and Monday. It appears that the Right-wing parties which go to make up the present government have faired rather badly, much to their surprise. The turnout was surprisingly high, something like 72% of those who could vote did so.

Rather oddly, er not, the channels which are under the control of the prime minister of Italy's family are not covering the results in the blow by blow way in which one, and only one, of the state channels (RAI 2) is.

Various politicians, from the Left-wing, obviously, are calling for the resignation of the government here, stating that it has effectively lost the mandate of the people. However, even though this would seem to be the case, the fact remains that the current government enjoys a large and overwhelming parliamentary majority, which it could use to try to win the people back over before the official general elections are held here in 2006.

Like most things here, politics are complex and trying to keep up with it all is an almost full time task. Not being wildly interested in the whole thing I don't really pay much attention to the goings on until something that makes me sit up and take notice happens. I think it would be true to say that is happening at the moment, although nothing will be confirmed until all the results are in, has tweaked a wee bit of interest for me. The next few months here will be interesting and even more interesting will be watching how the B man attempts to wield his extensive control over the media. The current marketing men behind the government may well be finding themselves back in the FMCG market.

One amusing result is that the winning candidate for Turin, famous as most know for that well known brand of motor car which goes by the name of Fiat, seems to be a lady whose first name is Mercedes! Definitely no conflict of interests there then.

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