Rome: Pope Leo XIV got into the Christmas spirit Monday by taking part in a very Roman papal tradition: praying for peace at a statue of the Madonna near the Spanish Steps on the Dec 8 feast day that kicks off the Christmas season.
Leo greeted thousands of well-wishers who braved the cold to watch the American pope on his inaugural outing to the statue. They were treated to a popemobile romp through Rome’s historic centre, which has been decked out for the start of the holiday shopping season.
The pope got a special honour from the association of shop owners of the Via Condotti, the chic shopping street that extends from the Spanish Steps and features such brands as Bulgari, Hermes and Prada.
Wearing his formal red mozzetta, or cape, Leo offered a big bouquet of white roses and then a brief prayer at the foot of the statue. He recalled the millions of people who have come to Rome this year on a Holy Year pilgrimage that brought them to the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica.
“After the Holy Doors, may other doors now open to homes and oases of peace where dignity can flourish once more, where nonviolence can be taught, and the art of reconciliation can be learned,” he said.
Leo will be presiding over his first Christmas as pope this year, and already has introduced one novelty. The Dec 24 Christmas Eve Mass, which had been moved up earlier and earlier in recent years to accommodate older popes, this year is due to begin at the 10 pm usual start time.
Leo will have just a few hours of sleep before celebrating Christmas Day Mass in St Peter’s Basilica the next morning, followed by his return to the loggia — where he first appeared as pope May 8 — to deliver his Urbi et Orbi speech (to the city and the world).
He’ll preside over evening prayers known as vespers on New Year’s Eve and then a New Year’s Day Mass and blessing Jan 1.