Rome

Credit: Courtesy of Antica Pesa

Gerard Butler & Aaron Eckhart Feast Together in Rome

Originally posted 04/09/2013 06:00AM

When in Rome ... Gerard Butler dines like he's in Brooklyn!

Over the weekend, the actor was spotted checking out the original Antica Pesa outpost with girlfriend Madalina Ghenea. The couple enjoyed lunch on Saturday afternoon with Butler's Olympus Has Fallen costar Aaron Eckhart.

The actors were in Italy to promote their new flick, and they were were greeted personally by the restaurant's chef-owner Simone Panella, who prepared a selection of farm-to-table dishes for the stars. The two actors even posed with Panella and will join other celebrity guests on the wall of fame.

Their appetizers included artichoke and ricotta cheese pie; prosciutto and mozzarella cheese; octopus salad with Roman broccoli; grilled vegetables and a fresh vegetable followed by a small tasting of cacio e pepe pasta.

And for dessert they also indulged in tiramisu, white chocolate semifreddo and creme brulée – all while smoking Cohiba cigars.
– Kristin Boehm

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Filed Under: Rome, Aaron Eckhart, Gerard Butler, Restaurant

Credit: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters/Landov

Pope Francis Is Installed, Pledges to Help the Poor

Originally posted 03/19/2013 07:30AM

To a congregation that included U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden and guests from 130 other countries and organizations, Pope Francis on Tuesday laid out his vision for a papacy devoted to service – in particular, offering help for humanity's most forgotten souls.

The Pope "must be inspired by the lowly, concrete and faithful service which marked St. Joseph," Francis, 76, an Argentine who was elected the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church last week, said at his installation mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, reports The New York Times.

"Like him, he must open his arms to protect all of God's people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison."

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Filed Under: Rome, Good Deeds, Pope Francis

Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty

Pope Benedict XVI Says Goodbye in His Final Mass

Originally posted 02/27/2013 07:40AM

A frail Pope Benedict XVI bid a heartfelt farewell to his faithful followers Wednesday, offering a humble final Mass to about 55,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome, as the cardinals who will pick his successor looked on.

The frail Pope, 85, arrived in his Pope mobile to cheers, thanking everyone for understanding his decision to leave his position due to his age and health, making him the first modern-era Pope to step down rather than serve for life, as is tradition in the Catholic church.

"To love the church also means having the courage to take difficult decisions," he said in his address.

The pontiff's resignation takes effect Thursday. He will keep the name Benedict XVI and become the Roman pontiff emeritus or pope emeritus, the Vatican announced Tuesday.

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Filed Under: Religion, Rome

Credit: AKM-GSI

Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis Get Romantic in Rome

Originally posted 11/25/2012 12:30AM

The Roman holiday continues!

Sporting hats, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis stepped out on Friday night to enjoy a meal at Checchino in Rome's Testaccio district.

Kunis, 29, is bundled up with a scarf, while her beau Kutcher, 34, is sporting a very different accessory – a plate!

While Kunis has been in town to shoot her new movie, The Third Person, the couple has been spotted taking evening strolls, indulging in local fare, holding hands and sightseeing.

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Filed Under: Couples, Rome, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Restaurant

Credit: Bauer-Griffin

Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis Drink Up the Romance of Rome

Originally posted 10/25/2012 11:50AM

When in Rome, do as the lovebirds do!

That seems to be Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis's plan during their stay, as the couple are fitting in plenty of romance and PDA while she films a movie in the Italian capital.

The pair, together since late last year, rented a two-person rickshaw bike in Villa Borghese park on Wednesday and rode it to Pincian Hill, stopping for a kiss during their sightseeing trip.