On this week’s Relevant in Rome segment of The Mark Swartzberg Show, Ashley Noronha offered a glimpse into the rhythms of Catholic life in Italy, where faith is celebrated not only in churches, but around family tables, in sacred music, and through acts of hospitality.

Reflecting on the Feast of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, Ashley explained how many Italian families honor St. Martha by welcoming friends and neighbors into their homes, reminding Catholics that authentic charity begins with prayer and overflows into loving service. She also highlighted the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, celebrated as the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, with special devotions throughout Italy that honor the indispensable role grandparents play in passing on the faith.

The conversation then turned to Pope Leo XIV’s growing emphasis on beauty as a path to God. Ashley shared details about the Vatican-sponsored Canticle of Peace, a special prayer service at Castel Gandolfo featuring Andrea Bocelli and a choir of young people from regions affected by war and poverty. Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, the event demonstrates how music can become a universal language of hope, reconciliation, and peace.

Ashley also discussed Pope Leo’s appreciation for sacred music and his encouragement to seek renewal through prayer, beauty, and even healthy periods of rest. As many Italians step away from work during the month of August, she noted the spiritual value of slowing down and allowing time for recreation in the truest sense of the word: being re-created by God.

The segment concluded with Pope Leo’s continued appeal for peace throughout the Holy Land, Ukraine, Africa, and other regions suffering from conflict. Ashley invited listeners to join the Holy Father in praying that world leaders pursue dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace rooted in the dignity of every human person.