Hello!
We are traveling to Italy in about 2 weeks and will be stopping in Assisi. I understand that we will need to cover knees and shoulders for the Vatican while in Rome, but does the same apply in Assisi if we are visiting the churches? Just trying to limit what goes in the suitcase...thank you!
Same rule applies to all churches although enforcement varies. You can carry a very light scarf or pareo in your bag, and cover what you need to cover with that while entering churches. No need for extra clothes in the suitcase.
What about shorts for men? Off limits? Thanks!
Shoulders and knees covered for all-men and women and kids
The God that lives behind the altar inside Rome's churches is the same God of Assisi's Churches and her/his property assets are managed by the same organisation.
The only difference is that most Churches can't afford to pay somebody at the door 24/7 and some visitors translate "no guards" with "no rules". You could say It's an honor system.
Shoulders covered yes,a shawl works for that. No to shorts,but capris are acceptable.
I love Assisi.
I wore what I thought was a conservative skort a bit above the knees. . . I, a every-Sunday-church-going-Christian, was held back while the guard found a plastic "shower curtain" to wrap around my waist while my atheist husband and other laughing friends zoomed into the cathedral. After we were in, most carried their shower curtains in the very warm environment and no one said anything.
no one said anything.
Catholics do not need a watchdog every 5 meters to follow the rules they have been told 5 minutes before. Others don't, but the shame is on them not on the Church who has just welcomed and let them in.