🧵 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.

Today, the world pauses — or should.

Good Friday isn’t a checkbox holiday, it’s a collision with sacrifice, suffering, and what it means to be human.

Let’s see why 🧵 The cross isn’t merely a symbol, it’s a paradox.

A tool of torture turned into a beacon of redemption.

Romans perfected crucifixion for maximum pain — slow, public, humiliating.

Yet, this one death, Christians believe, flipped the script on eternity.

That’s a plot twist worth pondering.

Ever walked a bridge where angels tell a story of sacrifice?

Ponte Sant’Angelo isn’t just a crossing — it’s a spiritual journey, with ten Baroque angels holding symbols of Christ’s Passion.

Let’s meet the angels of Bernini’s masterpiece. 🧵 Spanning the Tiber River, Ponte Sant’Angelo is one of Rome’s most iconic bridges, built in 134 AD by Emperor Hadrian to lead to his mausoleum (now Castel Sant’Angelo).

But it’s the angels, added in the 17th century, that make it unforgettable.

Why does a small hilltop town in Italy hold one of the world’s most intriguing cathedrals?

Ravello’s Duomo, perched 1,200 feet above the sea, is a treasure chest of art, mystery, and miracles.

Let’s discover its secrets. 🧵 👇 Founded in 1086, the Cathedral of Ravello was born from ambition. Nicolò Rufolo, a wealthy merchant, backed its creation to rival nearby Amalfi’s power. It’s dedicated to St. Pantaleone, a healer whose blood is said to liquefy every year.

Inside, a bronze door from 1179, crafted by Barisano da Trani. One of only 24 such doors in Italy, its 54 panels tell stories from Christ’s life to mythical beasts.

Imagine medieval pilgrims tracing these tales with their fingers.

What if one man could see the future — not through prophecy, but through the sheer force of his mind?

On April 15, 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was born, a polymath whose life blurs the line between history and myth.

Here's how it all started ( a 🧵 ) Born out of wedlock in Vinci, a Tuscan hill town, Leonardo was the son of a notary and a peasant girl. His illegitimacy barred him from formal education, yet this outsider status fueled his boundless curiosity.

Why do Fabergé eggs still captivate us?

These tiny treasures, born from Russian imperial opulence, are more than jewelry — they’re time capsules of art, history, and mystery.

Let’s unravel their story (a 🧵) It all begins in 1885.

Tsar Alexander III commissions Peter Carl Fabergé to create an Easter gift for Empress Maria Feodorovna. The result?

The Hen Egg — simple white enamel hiding a golden yolk and a tiny hen.

A tradition is born.

Ever wonder why people wave palms like it’s a parade, only to pivot to somber vibes?

Palm Sunday is a wild ride of joy, irony, and raw human hope.

Let’s break it down (a 🧵) Palm Sunday launches Holy Week, marking Jesus’ big Jerusalem entrance. Crowds go wild with palm branches, chanting 'Hosanna!'

It’s a party with a shadow—triumph laced with fate.

What if the Renaissance had a single face?

It might just be Raphael’s — born on April 6, 1483. A painter who died at 37, yet left a legacy so vast it feels eternal.

Let’s unravel the life of the man who made beauty a divine act. (a 🧵) 1. Raphael was born in Urbino, a small Italian hill town. His father, Giovanni Santi, was a painter and poet — a humble start for a boy who’d one day rival Michelangelo.

Today marks the birthday of Vincent van Gogh, born in 1853.

A man who painted the stars, yet lived in shadows.

His life was a tempest of brilliance and despair — let’s unravel the story of this tortured genius... 🧵 Van Gogh wasn’t born a painter.

He started as an art dealer, then a teacher, even a preacher.

It wasn’t until his late 20s that he picked up a brush — proof it’s never too late to find your calling.

Crowns are symbols of power, faith, and identity.

Let’s discover 15 of the world’s most impressive crowns — tangible relics of history

(a thread 🧵) 1. Iron Crown of Lombardy

It is believed to date back to the early Middle Ages, possibly the 4th–5th century AD. Has a narrow iron band, traditionally said to have been forged from a nail of Christ’s cross.

The crown is preserved in the Cathedral of Monza, near Milan.

Spring in art 🎨

Celebrating the Spring Equinox with 10 breathtaking masterpieces that capture the beauty of the season.

1. Sandro Botticelli's iconic Primavera (Spring), c. 1482, detail 2. Vincent van Gogh - Almond Blossom, 1890

Spring is here, and the world’s capitals are waking up in a riot of color 🌸

Happy Spring with a thread of the most beautiful capital cities to travel to in spring.

Bookmark this 🔖 1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tulips everywhere. The canals glow with color, and the Keukenhof gardens near the city are a springtime paradise. 🌷

Drawings by Gian Lorenzo Bernini

We all know the masterpieces that Bernini sculpted but only few saw his drawings.

Let's explore these unknown gems 🧵 Bernini - A seated male nude, c.1630

On March 22 Paris City Hall will open its doors to the public! Bookmark 🔖

Let's take a quick look at one of Paris' most magnificent landmarks: the Hôtel de Ville!

(all ph: raphaelmetivet) Located in the heart of Paris, the Hôtel de Ville boasts stunning Renaissance Revival architecture and a rich history. The original building, dating back to 1357, was destroyed by fire in 1871. Today, we see a magnificent 19th-century reconstruction that preserves the spirit of the original.

Today, 550 years ago, greatest artist known to mankind was born — Michelangelo Bonarroti.

Let's discover some of his most iconic masterpieces.

A thread🧵 Born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, Italy, and grew up in Florence, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni would go on to create some of the most iconic works in human history, showcasing exceptional skills in sculpting, painting, architecture, and poetry.

Fall in love with art this Valentine's Day! 🧵 First up...

1. Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss (1787-1793) by Antonio Canova 2. The Kiss (1908) by Gustav Klimt

Must-See Historical Photos That Might Change Your Perspective on Things

A thread 🧵

1. Soldier in Vietnam, 1965 2. A man looking for a job in England in the 1930s