I recently bought a tv. While this is hardly noteworthy, it is a departure for me. I’ve lived in furnished apartments in Italy that have tvs, but since I took my current, unfurnished, apartment in March of 2018, I’ve been tv free. Not a big deal, for in the past almost 4 years, while living in Florence, I haven’t watched one solid hour of Italian tv.

This is not to say I don’t watch tv, even without a set. I do. I watch American tv shows on my computer.

But, I recently learned that I’m paying for tv with my regular electric bill, and can’t get out of it. So, I thought to myself, if you can’t beat them, join them.

It took 4 people (including me) to get my new “smart tv” hooked up. But, on Friday, we got it connected. I’ve been watching some Italian tv shows and learning all kinds of new stuff.

What led me to write this post is that today I watched the Pope say mass from his window in the Vatican Palace on tv. It was fascinating to observe and, amazingly, is the first time I’ve ever watched it on tv or in person. I was amused when the Pope ended his sermon by wishing everyone a “Buon pranzo” (good lunch).

I just didn’t realize that the descendant of St. Peter, and the representative of God on earth, would be so folksy! I thought he only proclaimed really important stuff.

I was also entertained when, earlier in his remarks, the thin crowd in the piazza below the window (don’t forget its August, about 100 degrees in the shade in Rome today, and we are still dealing with Covid), clapped. I didn’t know the Pope was cheered for delivering his sermon.

Live and learn. Everyday here brings something new to remark upon!