La Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli's steep staircase is made up of 124 wide steps and represents a hard pilgrimage to the Ara Coeli (alter in heaven). The Roman Catholic church is famous for its frescoes and wooden statue of of Il Bambino (Baby Jesus), which called upon to save ill children. (November 16, 2009) |
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (WPIX )—
A Marist College student died Friday when he fell while climbing a steep flight of stairs leading to an ancient church in Rome, Italy.Robert Stone, 19, was sightseeing at the time of the accident with his roommate and roommate's father said Marist College spokesman Tim Massie on Sunday.
They were heading to La Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli, which is located atop Monte Capitolino, when tragedy struck.
Massie stated he did not know the details of Stone's fatal plunge.
"Rob was a very compassionate, loving person," said Massie. "He had a real joy for learning and there are many people who are having a difficult time dealing with this loss."
Stone was participating in his college's study abroad program at Scuola Lorenzo de' Medici in Florence.
The basilica's steep staircase is made up of 124 wide steps and represents a hard pilgrimage to the Ara Coeli (alter in heaven). The Roman Catholic church is famous for its frescoes and wooden statue of Il Bambino (Baby Jesus), which called upon to save ill children.
