Close

A new version of Italy's response to ChatGPT, Minerva, was presented at Rome's La Sapienza University Tuesday. The new AI system is called Minerva7B, where 7B stands for 7 billion parameters, more than double the previous one. It has been designed by a team led by Roberto Navigli of the Natural Language Processing of Sapienza. Accessible to all her...

131

The Jubilee, also known as the Holy Year, will soon take place with visitors flocking to Rome, the Vatican City and across Italy. It is a sacred event for the Catholic Church typically held every 25 years for patrons to ask forgiveness for their sins. The event begins on Dec. 24 when Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica in the V...

127

For the upcoming summer season, all three major US airlines, namely American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have announced new routes and/or frequency increases on flights to Italy. This included the country’s main gateways, Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), as well as secondary Italian...

250

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, better known as Mother Cabrini, was a woman who defied the odds, broke barriers, and dedicated her life to serving those most in need. Her legacy continues to shine as she returns to her homeland of Italy as a “pilgrim of hope” in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee. On the anniversary of her beatification, a statue honorin...

140

It took over 400,000 high-resolution images and an enormous amount of data, equivalent to 22 petabytes—around 5 million DVDs—to complete the digital twin of St. Peter's Basilica. The project, titled "San Pietro: AI-Enhanced Experience," was born two years ago from a meeting between Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, head of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, and Br...

152

According to the “World's Best Cities 2025” report, which annually lists 100 cities around the world that are most livable and the best to visit, Rome ranks sixth on the list. The city's appeal extends beyond its historical relics, and the Eternal City ranks in the top 5 globally according to the amiability (#5) and livability (#5) indexes, offerin...

144

Dear friends, We are back from a new interesting trip to the East Coast, where We the Italians participated in some important events: in Washington DC there was the annual meeting of the Transatlantic Investment Committee at the Italian Embassy, and then the traditional reception of Ambassador Mariangela Zappia at Villa Firenze, and again the day d...

361

After 10 years of closure, the Ninfeo di Villa Giulia, a jewel of water in Renaissance Rome, has reopened to visitors. This first "theater of waters" in Rome, the heart of the gardens wanted by Pope Julius III for his luxurious residence at the foot of the Monti Parioli, will be accessible again. It will also be possible to visit the Sala dello Zod...

68

The Sistine Chapel is probably one of the most celebrated works of the Renaissance era. Built in the 15th century under Pope Sixtus IV and named in his honor, the chapel forms part of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace and serves as the pope’s private chapel. While its walls were initially adorned by various artists, including Botticelli and Ghirlandai...

139

While Rome's bustling streets and historic monuments offer endless excitement, sometimes a little relaxation is in order. Fortunately, just a short trip from the city, you’ll find a number of thermal baths—natural hot springs and wellness resorts—perfect for unwinding. For centuries, Italians have embraced these healing waters for their therapeutic...

118