Every year on St. Valentine’s Day, Rome and Paris compete for an irresistible title: the identity as the true City of Love.
Rome perhaps has destiny on its side with a playful twist: its name, when reversed, reveals its essence. Perhaps that is why, when February arrives, its streets fill with couples who choose to celebrate their story there.
JANN AND ANNA
Polish couple
She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. I love her very much.
Yes, he is very handsome.
We are here for a Valentine’s trip. Since we weren’t able to celebrate our anniversary in any way, we said, you know what? Let’s take a trip to Rome.
But beyond romance, the city also holds well-kept secrets about lovers’ day: in the Basilica of Saint Mary, home to the famous “Mouth of Truth,” where some relics of Saint Valentine are preserved.
Saint Valentine was a Christian priest during the Roman Empire, executed for disobeying orders. According to chronicles, he performed marriages in secret for young lovers, defying laws that forbade soldiers from marrying. For this reason, Saint Valentine is the patron saint of couples in love—and young couples know exactly what to ask him.
IVÁN AND CELIA
Married couple
That they grant us many more years together, happily. And well, I think being happy already includes everything we could ask for.
Entrusting love to Saint Valentine is a wonderful way to make it last forever, although, as Pope Saint John Paul II once said…
Love always conquers, love always conquers; just as Christ has conquered, love has conquered.
And when love conquers, everyone wins.
