Here are three ways Pope Francis could seriously rock the boat.
Regions / Italy
The Pentagon is increasingly turning to Italy as a launching pad for the wars of today and tomorrow alike.
And, were she found guilty again, would the United States extradite Amanda Knox?
How can a candidate, such as Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana or Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Brazil, be considered conservative but still produce statements critical of neoliberal capitalism?
After years of brutal austerity, collapsing economies, widespread unemployment, and shredding of the social safety net, Italians said "basta!" Enough!
In the Vatican leaks case, the media is flogging "the butler did it" angle.
Libya's Transitional Council and Italy are likely to become fast friends because of oil.
There is a sense that Italians are holding their breath.
If Spain and Italy are forced to apply for bailouts, it is not clear the European Union or the euro would survive.
There are rumblings that U.S. and NATO airstrikes on Libya might leave both mired in that country.