When in Rome - Softcover

Hutchinson, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0002740370 ISBN 13: 9780002740371

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2000

Synopsis

In the style of Bill Bryson, a fascinating and amusing, unauthorised guide to the Vatican.

Discerning journalist and Catholic, Robert Hutchinson decided in 1996 to take his family to live in Rome for a year so he could explore the secrets of the Vatican. WHEN IN ROME is the delightful journal of his Roman sojourn.

As he settles in, Hutchinson discovers the many delights and frustrations of life in Rome, and slowly begins his exploration into the lesser known and hallowed portals of the Vatican.

With humour and insight, he relates stories of papal mistresses, the discovery and subsequent loss of St Peter’s bones, the secret (and unkempt) archives, weird relics, money laundering at the Vatican Bank, the silent and simplistic bureaucracy at the hub of this worldwide church, and even advice on how you get to be a cardinal – or a pope.

Despite the scandals and the shortcomings, he remains ultimately respectful to a church which has survived two millennia.

About this title

About the Author

Robert Hutchinson is former editor of Hawaii magazine, and has written for 15 years about the Vatican for magazines and newspapers in Europe and the US. He is winner of 8 journalistic awards, and lives with his wife and children in Irvine, California.

From the Back Cover

Journalist, Robert Hutchinson, decided to take his wife and three young sons to live in Rome so he could explore first hand the innermost secrets of the Vatican. 'When in Rome' is the extraordinary journal of his Roman sojourn.

Settling into the delights and frustrations of Roman life, Hutchinson forges his way through the silent bureaucracy at the hub of the Catholic Church, into the Hallowed and lesser known portals of the Vatican State.

He probes the sex lives of the popes, experiences high fashion in the Holy See, encounters the weird relics of Catholicism and discovers the lucrative methods of money making at the Vatican Bank. He even picks up a tip or two on getting to the top as a cardinal or pope.

Despite his hugely entertaining humour, Hutchinson remains ultimately respectful to his church of two millennia.

Robert Hutchinson has reported on the Vatican for over 15 years. The winner of eight journalism awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Associated Church Press, he lives in California.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0002740370
• ISBN 13: 9780002740371
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304