Christmas in Rome
Christmas in Rome is well worth flying in for.It is perhaps stating the obvious to say that Christmas in Rome is a very special time. Those who are lucky enough to be in Rome for the Christmas period – perhaps having caught a flight from Manchester Airport – will almost certainly head to the Vatican, which obviously celebrates the event in style.
Highlights of the Christmas season in the Vatican are numerous, but include the likes of the Papal Midnight Mass, which is held each and every year on Christmas Eve, the world famous life size nativity scene that is erected in St Peter’s Square and the Pope reading out his yearly Christmas message in the piazza, which is located in front of St Peter’s, at 12 o’clock in the afternoon on Christmas Day.>/p>
The Christmas period in Rome kicks off in earnest on the 8th of December, with the Festival of the Immaculate Conception. During this time the Pope visits the Spanish steps and places flowers over the statue of the Virgin Mary, before going to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore to celebrate mass.
The Christmas period essentially comes to a final end on the 6th of January, with the last big religious festival of the season, Epiphany. In addition to the above, Christmas time in Rome also includes numerous other nativity scenes, the Christmas market in Piazza Navona, and many other option in the way of Christmas shopping for friends and family.
