Salt + Light Media Menu
Salt + Light Media Home
Magnifying Glass

Those Cold, Windy, Rainy, Beautiful Roman Days

Alicia Ambrosio

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

It's a grey, cold, windy, rainy day in Rome... and I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! This is officially day five that I've been here as S+L's Vatican Correspondent. I am now officially accredited to the Holy See Press Office. It only took four days, three paper clips, two photos, and a few well placed phone calls.
AA_HeadShotI first went to the press office on Friday morning with the necessary paperwork. The Catholic News Service photographer had already sent them my digital pic for use on my press badge. Obviously, being the Eternal City, there was a snag. The person who had my official letter of accreditation and presentation was out of town. Of course, before I could get to that part, I had to explain my entire life story. I handed over my passport to be photocopied. Anywhere else, this would be a task that takes mere seconds. In Italy, with me, it goes like this:
Vatican/Italian official: I'll need your passport please Miss.
Io (Italian word for "me"): Certainly, here you go. [hands over Canadian passport]
Official: [looks at cover of passport, opens passport to ID page] Eh, Ambrosio?
Io: Yes.
Official: But that's Italian! You're Italian!
Io: Yes.
Official: [smiles happily, and switches to Italian] So, your family is Italian? Were they born in Canada?
Io: [now speaking Italian] My Dad was born and raised in Italy. I was born in Canada.
Official: Ah, wow! [looks at ID page again] I see your parents also decided to give you a first name that was pronounceable in Italian!
Io: Well, actually my first name is Spanish. [pause] My mother is Argentine.
Official: [forgets about passport and sits down as if for long chat] Really? How did they meet?
And this is usually where I must tell the story of how my parents met and ended up in Canada, thus producing a Canadian citizen who neither looks nor sounds "Canadian", thus causing great confusion to Italian and Vatican officials. They figure that since I understand the language, I also understand the culture, the fluid concept of time, and other Italian particularities...but the passport, it has a maple leaf on it, implying one who follows rules, likes order, and generally doesn't like chaos.
The end result is I get a little bit of both: a little bit of run around, and a little bit of unusually courteous treatment because of the novelty of the whole situation. Generally I emerge from whichever office I have been visiting about a half and hour after entering, with a new friend. The Vatican Press Office was no different.
In this case it took three visits to the Press Office to get my press badge. The first time I went in with my collection of documents I was told that the person with my letter of accreditation was out of town until Monday. The second time I was informed that yes, all my necessary documents had been received...but the card was not ready. The gentleman handling my documents, however, speaks English with a beautiful mix of a British and Italian accent. I was so enthralled I nearly thanked him that my accreditation wouldn't be ready.
Actually, I think I did thank him.
Now I wait to see what happens when I use my badge for the first time to get access to the Press Hall....did I get an "Italian" press badge or a "Canadian" press badge?


Related Articles:

Category: General Posts

Tag: Holy See Press Office, Vatican Correspondent

The Next Conclave Explained: Time-Honoured Traditions, Modern Questions

Friday, May 2, 2025

Salt + Light Media

Ever wondered about the rules of a Conclave? Why can only cardinals vote? And what does the word “Conclave” mean in the first place? Here's a friendly Q and A to help you out.

The Papal Conclave: A Timeline

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Matthew Neugebauer

Are you wondering what goes into electing the next Pope? Here's a timeline to help walk you through it!

Getting out to vote: A question of conscience for the common good

Friday, April 25, 2025

Julian Paparella

While the hearts and minds of Catholics around the world are turning towards the Vatican to mourn Pope Francis and prepare for the Church's future, Canadians also have a sacred responsibility to vote on April 28 for those who will guide our nation moving forward.  

Pray with Pope Francis Reflection – April 2025

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ

In this month of April, Pope Francis invites us to pray for the use of new technologies, that they will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times. 

God in the City: Catholic Journalism Summer Intensive 2025

Monday, March 31, 2025

Salt + Light Media

Canadian Catholic News is offering an in-person intensive experience of its popular online course, “Telling Truth in Charity: Introduction to Catholic Journalism” this summer.

SUPPORT LABEL

Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Copyright © 2025 Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
Registered Charity # 88523 6000 RR0001
FR | CH