This is a glorious country.
A gathering of people and bright stars. The magnificent cathedral is paved with countless gold, spices, reliefs and masterpieces of Renaissance paintings.
This is a country in turmoil.
The synod of Afanion had just concluded. Before Pope John XXIII was firmly seated, the Duke of Milan and Francis I crossed the Alps to point their swords in this direction.
The pope, who was able to settle disputes between countries three hundred years ago, can now only watch Italy split into dozens of countries, fighting against each other and fighting endlessly.
But here, in the Catholic Church, which practices frugality and asceticism, the anti-sumptuary laws fell apart in fifty years, and noble ladies meandered around dragging their long silk skirts.
This is Florence.