How did the Pope end up with his own country? 🧵

Vatican City is the world’s smallest nation, just 44 hectares (110 acres).

But how did this mini-state come to be? ↓ Rewind to the 1st century AD.

Christian tradition holds that St. Peter, Jesus’ apostle, was martyred in Rome and buried on Vatican Hill.

A shrine grew around his tomb, eventually becoming St. Peter’s Basilica. This sacred site set the stage for everything.

Was Salvador Dalí a genius or a fraud?

He painted melting clocks and avoided paying restaurant bills by doodling on checks, knowing they’d never be cashed.

Let’s unravel the bizarre life of Dalí. 🧵 Salvador Dalí was born on May 11th, 1904, in Figueres, Spain.

His parents named him after his older brother, who had died 9 months before he was born.

They told him he was his brother’s reincarnation — a belief that shaped his identity and fueled his eccentricity.

World's Most Scenic Roads 🧵

This thread is your passport to stunning vistas.

Let's travel ↓ 2. The Icefields Parkway, Canada

A New Pope Has Spoken — What Happens Now? 🧵

Pope Leo XIV has greeted the world from St. Peter’s balcony, but what follows the Habemus Papam moment? ↓ Within days, the Mass of Inauguration is planned. Held in St. Peter’s Square, this open-air liturgy marks the formal start of the Pope's pontificate.

🧵 We have a new pope, the 267th!

But who is he? Let’s get to know Robert Francis Prevost, Leo XIV.

133 cardinals have spoken. Black smoke turned white, and a new name echoes across St. Peter’s Square.

Viva il Papa! 🕊 ↓ Born in 1955 on Chicago’s South Side, Prevost’s journey began at St. Mary of the Assumption church, a humble parish bordering Dolton. A polyglot and Augustinian, he studied canon law and served as a missionary in Peru, later becoming a naturalized citizen there.

World's Most Magnificent Libraries 🧵

Let's discover these sanctuaries of wisdom where each library tells a story beyond its books. ↓ 2. Piccolomini Library, Siena

The library was commissioned in 1492. Between 1502 and 1507, it was decorated with frescoes by Pinturicchio and his assistants, including the young Raphael.

Carved by dynasties and standing against time, India’s temples are history, devotion, and art intertwined.

Let’s uncover their fascinating past 🧵 ↓ 2. Ramanathaswamy — Located in Tamil Nadu, it is believed to have been built during the 17th century, though a small vimana in the west corridor belongs to the 11th or 12th century. The temple has undergone renovations and expansions over the centuries.

World’s most breathtaking clifftop towns you’ve likely never heard of.

Let's discover their unparalleled beauty and charm. 🧵 👇 2. Azenhas do Mar, Portugal — a charming seaside village with houses perched on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Forget museums — these cities carry the Middle Ages in their streets, etched with battles and bargains.

Let’s uncover the world’s most breathtaking medieval cities.

A thread 🧵 ↓ 2. Dubrovnik, Croatia — Often referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic, it is renowned for its stunning medieval architecture and well-preserved city walls.

Europe’s oldest cities aren’t just relics — they’re time machines where history and modern life collide.

Step inside, and the past comes alive.

Shall we explore? 🧵 👇 1. Athens, c.5000 BC

The birthplace of democracy and philosophy, Athens blends gritty modernity with timeless serenity. The Acropolis, crowned by the Parthenon (447 BC), looms over a city with deep Neolithic and Mycenaean roots.

Niccolò Machiavelli was a diplomat, philosopher, and writer whose name became synonymous with cunning politics.

But who was the man behind The Prince?

Let’s explore his life in Renaissance Florence — a world of intrigue, art, and power. 🧵 ↓ Born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Machiavelli grew up in a modest family during the height of the Renaissance. His father, a lawyer, ensured young Niccolò studied the classics. Livy, Cicero, and Thucydides shaped his razor-sharp mind.

The Vatican is a crucible of human longing for beauty, faith, and wisdom.

This enclave holds treasures that echo across centuries, some you've never heard of.

Wander with me through its halls 🧵 ↓ 1. St. Peter’s Basilica is the heart of Vatican City, a breathtaking architectural wonder. Inside, Michelangelo’s Pietà (1499) captures sorrow and beauty with astonishing realism.

Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.

— Michelangelo

On International Sculpture Day, uncover hidden gems you’ve likely never seen 🧵 ↓ 1. Sarah Bernhardt - Ophelia, 1880

Dressed in vibrant colors and wielding halberds and swords, the Swiss Guard look like they’ve stepped out of a Renaissance painting.

But don’t be fooled — these are elite soldiers.

What’s the story behind the world's smallest army? 🧵 ↓ 1. Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II, the Swiss Guard is one of the oldest military units still in operation.

Why Swiss?

In the 16th century, Swiss mercenaries were renowned across Europe for their discipline, loyalty, and ferocity in battle. Julius wanted the best.

What if one man’s words could shape how we think about love, power, and fate?

April 23rd marks the birthday (and death day) of the greatest playwright in history.

Who was Shakespeare, really? 🧵 👇 William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, April 1564. A glove-maker’s son, he rose from humble roots to become a cultural titan. His life is a riddle wrapped in genius.

In 2025 years, the Catholic Church has crowned 266 popes.

Few were loved like Pope John Paul II — a poet, philosopher, and global icon.

Let’s dive into his extraordinary story. 🧵 ↓ Born Karol Wojtyła in 1920 in Wadowice, Poland, he grew up in a world of hardship.

His mother died when he was 8, his brother soon after. Nazi occupation forced him into manual labor.

Yet, he found solace in poetry and faith.

🧵 How is a Pope Elected?

The election of a pope is one of the oldest and most fascinating rituals, blending faith, politics, and pageantry in the Vatican.

Let’s dive into the Conclave, step by step. 👇 1. When a pope dies or resigns (like Benedict XVI in 2013), the Church enters Sede Vacante — the vacant seat.

The Camerlengo, a cardinal, manages affairs temporarily.

Preparations for the Conclave begin.

Who Will Be the Next Pope?

With the passing of Pope Francis, the Vatican stands at a crossroads.

The Cardinals will enter a conclave, where the next pope will be chosen.

Here are 12 of the contenders. 🧵👇 1. Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco

- Born: January 14, 1943, Pontevico, Italy
- Became Cardinal: March 24, 2006
- Serves as: Archbishop Emeritus of Genoa, Italy

A theological ally of conservative Church leaders, Bagnasco is recognized for his strong leadership and traditional views.

Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.

He broke barriers as the first Latin American pope and inspired millions.

🧵 A tribute to his remarkable legacy. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, grew up in a modest family.

His father was an Italian immigrant, and his upbringing instilled in him the values of humility and compassion.

These early experiences shaped his later papacy.

Happy Easter! 🌸

Let’s explore the sweets and table traditions from countries celebrating Easter today, Catholic and Orthodox.

Buckle up for a global sugar rush. 🧵 ↓ 1. Poland, Catholic

Families break their Lenten fast with Babka, a sweet, braided bread studded with raisins, and Mazurek, a flat cake layered with jam, nuts, or caramel. Eggs are dyed, blessed, and cracked for luck.

Holy Saturday, a day suspended between grief and glory, where the world holds its breath.

The tomb is sealed, the Savior rests, yet something stirs beneath the veil of death.

What is this day teaching us? 🧵 ↓ Holy Saturday feels like a held breath. Not the piercing grief of Good Friday, nor the radiant joy of Easter. It’s the in-between, the liminal.