I begin by saying that: a) I am an Italian academic (except that I am also a naturalized US citizen) and b) I have no problem with the degree to Rossi, since I am a big fan. Still, I have to say that in Italy honorary degrees are not given out with the same frequency as in the US. There is no commencement there, and therefore you don't get 4-5 honorary doctorates from each university every year. Historically, in Italy these honorary degrees have been given out in recognition of outstanding lifetime achievements, which sounds a bit funny when the recipient is 24 years old. In that sense, there is no question that the degree to Rossi is not in line with the usual honorary degrees given out there. Here in the US all you need is to be either famous or a major donor to the university and you get a degree (or two, or three). I was talking to a famous person at my university's commencement and he said he had 22 honorary doctorates (he was getting his 23rd). Deserving guy, but I could not help thinking that handing them out like candy sort of cheapens the whole deal. Just my two cents.