Religion
Religion is an all-pervasive force in Italy and one cannot know the true nature of this country and its people without understanding the role faith plays in Italian life. Unlike many churches in other European countries, the churches in Italy are not museums and small but active congregations keep even remote parishes alive.
Rome has been a religious capital for thousands of years and the Eternal City is still the focal point for the world's over one billion Roman Catholics. The Pope lives in Italy and is not only the head of the Catholic Church; he is Bishop of Rome and successor to Rome's first bishop, Saint Peter.