Update

I've just this morning returned from a grueling and immensely rewarding trip to Europe. The itinerary: Cambridge -> Rome -> Ancona -> Split -> Sarajevo -> Budapest -> London -> Cambridge. I hope to be writing up some observations and posting some pictures within the next few days.

Just in case you're curious, we left Rome Wednesday evening; I believe the pope's health took a turn for the worse some time Thursday, so things were still relatively calm then. It is a bit shocking to see pictures of Piazza San Pietro filled to the brim after leisurely strolling around less than a week ago.

Readers continue to add further errors to my list of Dan Brown's inaccuracies in Angels and Demons. Read the most recent ones for insights coming to light thanks to current circumstances in the Vatican.

And on a completely different note, the Phillies have their first game of this season this afternoon against the Washington Nationals. Expect lots of baseball blogging from now through October.

My laptop is still out of commission. But it should be back in working order within the next few days.