Basics I should know about Catholicism?

Well, if you want basics really quick and dirty, I'd recommend Wikipedia. If you want the basics in a more comprehensive and friendly fashion, I'd recommend Catholicism for Dummies (Yes, it's a real book!)

If you want comprehensive, I'd recommend The Cathechism of the Catholic Church.

And you should attend some Catholic masses and other observances (like first Fridays) because part of understanding Catholics is seeing how they pray.

And Italy is steeped in church history, the epicenter of it, in fact. To get a good flavor of how Catholics see things, you might read some of the church history at newadvent.org. The Vatican's interpretation of its own history is distinctive, but mostly consistent with secular and Protestant views.

As you can see, the world is full of hate propaganda, lies, misrepresentations and much evil aimed against the Catholic Church. It's the last acceptable prejudice.

The Apostles Creed summarizes what Catholics believe.

http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=220

I hope you get a chance to tour the Roman Catacombs. It proves that the Christians of the first 3 centuries were Catholic in belief and practice. You will see the obvious Obelisk in St. Peter's square.

http://www.catacombe.roma.it/

The Obelisk in the Piazza di San Pietro is important chiefly by its surroundings.. It is made of red granite and stands 25.37 meters high. It was erected in the Julian Forum in Alexandria by order of Augustus and remained their until 37 A.D. when the Emperor Caligula ordered the forum demolished and the obelisk transferred to Rome. It was then erected in the Vatican Circus, and there it remained until its removal to the square before the Basilica of St. Peter (1586). Tradition has it that in the Vatican Circus innumerable Christians, including St. Peter and that the reason this obelisk was not later overturned as were all the others in Rome was that was looked upon as the witness to the martyrdom of St. Peter.

On the top of this Christianized pagan symbol, is a cross. Inside this cross, is a relic of the true cross. Here we have a stone monument that stood in the presence of hundreds of the earliest Christian martyrs containing a relic of the true cross. To accuse us of paganism is the same as the Pharisees telling Jesus He heals by the power of Satan. It is an insult to the deaths of the martyrs who refused to pay homage to Roman gods. The cross on top of the obelisk pays tribute to mightly Roman Empire that opened up to the Christian faith. It illustrates that love is stronger than hate.

Enjoy your trip.

The most important thing you need to know is that Catholicism is intensely hierarchical and authoritarian. You are going to the seat of the church, where the pope and the authority of the church is. That authority will be far more pervasive than it is here in America. As for the rest, it would probably be better to have a respectful innocence (and big round eyes) as you say "I don't know much about that. Can you explain it to me?"

read the nicene creed . that was one of the original catechisms , go to the masses and benediction for some of the liturgical understanding, also dress modestly and casual , talk to different nuns and priests, and have a great time

1.2 Billion Catholics. Largest Protestant Church, Anglican, 80 million.

it is not against the Catholic church to alter your faith, it is against God to alter your faith. bypass to his church and consult with the guy interior the workplace approximately RICA instructions. it is like non secular instructions yet for adults. It takes an entire 3 hundred and sixty 5 days to become a Catholic.

Pickpockets in Rome prey on tourists.

One basic truth to understand, it's false Christianity.

Their father is the Pope. They believe the Pope is a God-Man and can do no wrong and what he says goes even can override the Bible.

Their central diety is Mary, the blessed virgin. They believe her suffering saves our souls.

The reject Jesus Christ largely in favor of his mother, Mary.