Naples - February 4, 2015 - A gang of tomb raiders was active again near the ancient city of Pompeii and at the ancient Greek site of Paestum south of Naples, police said.

142 people were placed under investigation and hundreds of plundered artifacts were seized.

Some links to Naples' Camorra Mafia were uncovered, although most of the tomb raiders acted out individually, police said.

The writing is on the wall for the world's most celebrated archaeological site. Pompeii is, in a sense, doomed anyway:

In conclusion, on a positive note, Pompeii is one of the most modern cities you'll find when visiting Italy.

Turin - February 3, 2015 - Almost 600,000 bookings have been made to see the mysterious Shroud of Turin, reputed to bear the image of Christ, when it opens for public viewing this spring, officials said.

The Shroud, rarely seen by the public, will be displayed in the Chapel of the Shroud in the crypt beneath Turin's most important cathedral.

The city and Diocese of Turin are preparing for inflows of guests by training some 4,500 volunteers to work with visitors.

Believers say the linen cover was used to cover the body of Christ after his crucifixion.

Some sceptics believe the Shroud is nothing more than an elaborate fake dating from the Middle Ages, triggering centuries of debate over whether the image is truly that of Christ.

Radiocarbon-dating tests conducted on the cloth in 1988 suggested it dates between 1260 and 1390; however, other scientists have since claimed those results could have been distorted by centuries of contamination.

That has led to calls for more testing, which the Vatican has consistently refused.

600,000 bookings...Moses didn't get a response like this when he performed that water trick with a stick.

The Holy Shroud. One of Christianity's greatest objects of adoration and one of its most prized relics. Bow before it, mortals!

Of course, being heavily guarded in bullet-proof, climate-controlled glass case, hidden away underneath a cathedral adds to the fascination and punctuates its importance. But when the topic of its authenticity comes up, the Vatican won't give you any satisfaction. You'll get better acknowledgment from Kissinger.

No need to worry, we'll now attempt to give it to you on its behalf: (We're curious to see how far we can get away with this before we receive another concerned email from the Holy See):

1) Mortal: How did the Vatican prove its authenticity?
Unofficial Vatican: Simple. We have never declared it to be authentic. Haven't you ever heard of, "Never let them see you sweat?"

2) Mortal: The Bible itself (John 20:7) makes it clearly understood the shroud is a fake.
Unofficial Vatican: It depends on how you interpret it. How does one interpret sticking coins at the bottom of Madonna statues?

3) Mortal: What about the 1988 radiocarbon-dating tests suggesting it dates between 1260 and 1390?
Unofficial Vatican: Contamination. It has been displayed for numerous public exhibitions over the past 650 years. Everyone and their mother has been near it.

4) Mortal: An Italian team of scientists claimed in a study that a powerful magnitude 8.2 earthquake in Jerusalem in 33AD may have altered the carbon 14 dating results. They state the earthquake would have been strong enough to release neutron particles from crushed rock. Therefore, a flood of neutrons could have imprinted an X-ray-like image onto the shroud. Now, were these scientists drunk or high at the time?
Unofficial Vatican: When science doesn't back up your beliefs, you don't change your beliefs...you change the science.

5) Mortal: Have you seen the humorous Youtube cartoon with the two priests?

Unofficial Vatican: Yes, all the boys here in Rome did get a chuckle out of it. Of course, we'll still have to get it condemned and taken down.

 

Malocchio is best described as a curse brought on by the all-too-common sentiments: envy, jealousy, and possessive love, etc. Though strangely, it can be something as simple as a compliment. For example:

"Oh, mamma mia, look how lovely your child is! So adorable!"

If you come across a relative, friend or acquaintance who has a history of being a conniving, insincere, sneaky, thieving "figlio di puttana" who compliments you on your child...congratulations, the curse has just been set. Incidentally, if a nun just happens to be present at the phony interaction (they always appear at the most inconvenient moments), consider the curse to be twice as powerful.

What to do? You could quickly make a sign of the horn (image below), preferably behind your back, to protect your child, your sanity and to ward off the spirits that are supposedly on their way.

Several Italians wear the horn-shaped charm ("corno") as a necklace for protection. Some go as far as to have one hanging from the rear view mirror of the car. You know...the one that is commonly mistaken for a real hot red pepper. These are the Italians who should also be driving around with handicapped licence plates.

When the evil eye has been set upon you, it may come in many different colorful forms. The most common is the insufferable headache. Supposedly, a Catholic who has been baptised, communed and confirmed may be able to help with an old and reasonably priced ritual (some preposterous and cockamamie thing about reciting a private prayer on New Years Eve so that the he/she will be empowered by the grace God to rid you of the evil eye).

However, be careful for you will be told the situation could complicate itself if you have birds and bird feathers, especially peacock feathers, in your home. Oh, yes...unbeknownst to you, they apparently carry the evil eye. Canaries and parrots are small in size therefore, the amount of evil spirits they could carry should be a harmless minimum. But your prize peacock will most likely have to be given away or abandoned at the nearest park.

On the positive side, you can counter the bad luck with a sneezing cat which is considered good luck to all those who hear it.

Most reliable remedy: When you find yourself confronting the individuals (or better yet, the blessed Catholic) who suggest to you the aforementioned ritual, grab a water spray bottle, spray your cat's face, show them the alternative cure (bottle of aspirin) and the front door to leave.