Italy

Pope Gregory’s Sneeze

Why do we say ‘God Bless You’ when we sneeze? Some historians trace it back to 16th February, 600 – and a decree supposedly issued by the pun-loving, God-fearing Pope Gregory to ward off the effects of the plague that had killed his predecessor. (Sadly, Gregory’s other idea to fight off the disease wasn’t quite […]

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RETRO

Why do we say ‘God Bless You’ when we sneeze? Some historians trace it back to 16th February, 600 – and a decree supposedly issued by the pun-loving, God-fearing Pope Gregory to ward off the effects of the plague that had killed his predecessor. (Sadly, Gregory’s other idea to fight off the disease wasn’t quite

There’s Something About Mary

The Pope defined the dogma of The Immaculate Conception – confirming that, in the view of the Catholic Church, Christ’s mother Mary had not only been ‘full of grace’, but was completely absent of sin even at her own conception – on 8th December, 1854. Despite this having been an unofficial concept amongst the faithful

There’s Something About Mary Read More »

RETRO

The Pope defined the dogma of The Immaculate Conception – confirming that, in the view of the Catholic Church, Christ’s mother Mary had not only been ‘full of grace’, but was completely absent of sin even at her own conception – on 8th December, 1854. Despite this having been an unofficial concept amongst the faithful