Tuesday 28 June 2016

Rome Round-Up: June 2016

A quick update on the latest news from Rome...

Rome Elects New Mayor



Virginnia Raggi has been elected as Rome's new, and first female, mayor in a historic victory for the anti-corruption party Movimento Cinque Stelle (Five Star Movement).

Raggi takes office after former mayor Ignazio Marino was forced to resign following an expenses scandal and a widespread belief that he was unfit to tackle corruption in the city

The new mayor, who wants to make the city of Rome 'liveable' again, has stated that her priorities include improving the management of municipal services such as transport and rubbish collection.


Pope Francis - Church Should Apologise to Gays




Pope Francis has said that the catholic church should apologise to gay people for the way it has treated them. He told reporters earlier this week that the Church had no right to judge the gay community and should show them respect.

He also stated that the Church should apologise to other groups it has 'exploited' and marginalised such as the poor, women and children.


Italian Restaurant Crowned Best in the World


Chef Massimo Bottura


Italy's 'Osteria Francescana' was crowned world's best restaurant earlier this month at an awards ceremony in New York. The restaurant in Modena, run by chef Massimo Bottura, is the first Italian establishment to win the annual accolade.

'Our job is about art work,' an emotional Bottura told the ceremony, 'it's all about our work, in the kitchen everyday to work and succeed.'

The judging board praised Bottura for his twists on traditional ingredients, saying in particular that he crafted Parmigiano Reggiano into 'forms and textures most diners will never have previously experienced.'


Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston Spotted in Rome




New celebrity couple #Hiddleswift, were spotted sightseeing at the Colosseum on Monday, before going for a romantic Italian dinner. It's not the first time that Rome has been host to high profile celebrity couples this year - last month Kim Kardashian and Kanye West celebrated their two year anniversary in Rome at the premiere of Sofia Coppola's opera La Traviata.

Kardashian & West in Rome last month