A papyrus scroll – not quite destroyed by Vesuvius
The photograph above is of a papyrus scroll from a private library buried by Vesuvius in AD 79.
There are hundreds of scrolls like it, all scarred keepers of ancient thought. So far it has taken almost two thousand years to unpick a fraction of their secrets.
Why the Pope’s visit matters: “Acerra terra di morte … ma di speranza con Papa Francesco.”
(Acerra land of death – but of hope thanks to Pope Francis)
Papa Francesco spent this year’s ‘first day of spring’ with the people of Naples. He was warm, and brave and made thousands smile.
His first stop was Scampia – I never got there but I knew, and those watching knew, that the Pope was taking his message of hope and of ‘resistance to evil’ right into the heart of difficulty.
San Gennaro, patron saint of Naples, being positioned for the Pope’s visit
Popes do visit Naples but not often and usually their presence is connected with some disaster in the city.
This time Pope Francis has chosen to spend a day here and he’ll include one of Naples’ most troubled suburbs – Scampia.
I was in Naples today with less than 24hours until the Pope’s arrival.
The Phraser 