Applause in Italy

As I watched coverage of the Pope’s death on TV, I had no idea why people outside the Vatican at St. Peter’s Square were clapping. Apparently this is an Italian tradition to praise the dead upon their ascendance into Heaven. Catholic or not, this is an impressive display of faith and appreciation of a life well lived.

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Leopold Stotch
About Leopold Stotch
“Dr. Leopold Stotch” was the pseudonym of political science professor then at a major research university inside the beltway. He has a PhD in International Relations. He contributed 165 pieces to OTB between November 2004 and February 2006.