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Dear catholic.com visitors: This website from Catholic Answers, with all its many resources, is the world's largest source of explanations for Catholic beliefs and practices. A fully independent, lay-run, 501(c)(3) ministry that receives no funding from the institutional Church, we rely entirely on the generosity of everyday people like you to keep this website going with trustworthy , fresh, and relevant content. If everyone visiting this month gave just $1, catholic.com would be fully funded for an entire year. Do you find catholic.com helpful? Please make a gift today. SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR NEW MONTHLY DONATIONS! Thank you and God bless.

What Do People Mean When They Say That They Have “Swum the Tiber?”

Question:

What do people mean when they say that they have "swum the Tiber?"

Answer:

The Tiber is a river that runs through the city of Rome. St. Peter’s is on one side. Those who have converted to the Catholic Church often say that they “swam the Tiber” to indicate metaphorically that they have crossed over to the Catholic side.

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