In 1950 my father, as Overseas Picture Editor for Italy and the Middle East, arrived at the Rome Bureau of the New York Times located at 54 Via Della Mercede to begin reporting on the celebration of Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Pius XII. The Eternal City was experiencing something of a renaissance at the time; shops were open, restaurants and cafes were serving a generally happy populace and the Italian film industry was becoming well respected, showing American audiences in newsreels that Rome had largely been spared by the war and was open for business. Americans responded and began traveling to Italy and indeed to all of Europe. They spent dollars freely and the Italians were grateful and friendly; it seemed everyone had a relative in the States, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia - some in Boston too. My father had many difficult work assignments but many wonderful moments also. Think of the film “Roman Holiday” but with a much more generous expense account.
All Roads Leave From Rome
All Roads Leave From Rome
All Roads Leave From Rome
In 1950 my father, as Overseas Picture Editor for Italy and the Middle East, arrived at the Rome Bureau of the New York Times located at 54 Via Della Mercede to begin reporting on the celebration of Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Pius XII. The Eternal City was experiencing something of a renaissance at the time; shops were open, restaurants and cafes were serving a generally happy populace and the Italian film industry was becoming well respected, showing American audiences in newsreels that Rome had largely been spared by the war and was open for business. Americans responded and began traveling to Italy and indeed to all of Europe. They spent dollars freely and the Italians were grateful and friendly; it seemed everyone had a relative in the States, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia - some in Boston too. My father had many difficult work assignments but many wonderful moments also. Think of the film “Roman Holiday” but with a much more generous expense account.