Heavy snowfalls overnight greeted us this morning and provided a wonderful opportunity for some unusual pictures (see slides above). Schools in Rome have closed, public transport is struggling and some of our external lecturers, students and personale have been unable to come in. Certainly a strange but spectacular start to the new week.

Mgr Paul Swarbrick, whose appointment as the new bishop of Lancaster was announced last week, was welcomed for lunch at the Beda today. During a flying visit to Rome, he was invited to conclude a busy morning visiting the tombs of Peter and Paul with a relaxed 'Fast Day' lunch at the college. Bishop-elect Paul's episcopal ordination will take place in Lancaster on 9th April when he will become the 7th bishop of the Diocese. We send our best wishes and prayers for his future.

The exams at the end of the first semester finished today and the break between the two semesters begins. Many students are heading away for a few days' well-earned break, either at home in the UK or in other parts of Italy or even, for six students, with a trip to Krakov in Poland. The college re-assembles on Sunday 11th and the annual retreats begin on Monday 12th.