“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” This quote from Maya Angelo, expresses very well what I think of Rome. I was born in Flanders Fields in Belgium, and after a classical formation, I went on studying and became a lawyer. This inspired me to study on and making a complement in economics. Still ... it didn’t take my breath away. It was all more about wheeling-dealing. I wanted to go deeper and finding the reason why. So, next step was studying philosophy. What brought me to a moment in my life that I thought I had a vocation of becoming a priest. And so, I studied theology. But being already a lawyer, I combined it by making an extra degree in Canon Law (Church Law). Rome was the place where I landed during that itinerary. My mentors helped me to overcome the fact that I never became a priest without loosing my faith. But in the meanwhile, Rome got me in his grip. It was giving me those moments that takes your breath away. And I wanted to share that feeling with others.

Don’t be over-impressed by what I studied ! I’m only a mere human being. And when I make conferences of Rome, my audience are those who are putting me on my feet, and makes me reflect. If you will read my articles, or maybe once coming on a tour with me, visiting Rome, keep the words of the existentialist Albert Camus in mind: “Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”

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