The town of Rivisondoli (L’Aquila), which boasts Italy’s oldest live Nativity Scene, has put on a one-of-a-kind casting call via Internet for a woman to play Mary in the manger. “Seeking a young woman, between 15-22, to play the Madonna on January 5,” says the official site. Unlike most casting calls, the requisites to enact the part (after all, it’s the Mother of Jesus) are the right spirit and an “angel face.” View last year’s Mary– and see what it takes to play the Queen of Heaven. www.rivisondoli.com/presepe/madonna.htm

by Nicole Martinelli

The “Dessert of the Pope” (Il Dolce del Papa), a chocolate almond roll, has the honor of being is one of the few edible items (outside the host) approved by the Church.

It was a staple in stores during the Jubilee year, when Vatican reprimanded souvenir makers for hawking hordes of just-this-side-of blasphemous junk.

Serious visitors making the pilgrimage for forgiveness to the capital of the Catholic Church were “discouraged” from buying unofficial items like the Pilgrim Kit (candle, T-shirt, phone card for around $7) and Jubilee incense (only $3.50 for that holy smell).
“Suitable for all occasions,” the sweet was made to commemorate Pope John Paul II’s visit to biscotti maker Pan Ducale’s headquarters in 1985.
The cake, which retails in supermarkets for around $3.00 (Lit. 5,700), packs a 330-calorie count per sanctified slice. The somewhat sticky confection probably fares better as a quick snack than an elegant dessert.
No official word from the Vatican on whether the Pope celebrated by sprinkling powdered sugar on his cake to match the “serving suggestion” on the box.

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