In the Eternal City, some things change.
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In the Eternal City, some things change.
And it was Rome’s first female mayor – Virginia Raggi from the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement – who greeted the Pope on Thursday for his traditional tribute to the Virgin Mary, on the Roman Catholic feast day of the Immaculate Conception.
At a statue of the Madonna near the Italian capital’s Spanish Steps, Pope Francis prayed for the unemployed, for families trying to make ends meet and for exploited children.
Pope prays at Rome's Spanish Steps before statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Dec.8. Next to Mayor Raggi pic.twitter.com/w04JYYAayB
— Gerard O'Connell (@gerryorome) 8 décembre 2016
Statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception at Rome's Spanish Steps before which Pope has come to pray on Dec 8 pic.twitter.com/rLxxVXPucm
— Gerard O'Connell (@gerryorome) 8 décembre 2015
“O’ Mary, our Immaculate Mother, I bring you, Mother, all the workers, men and women, and I especially entrust you those who out of necessity strive to carry out an undignified job and those who have lost their jobs or can’t find one,” he said.
Francis also prayed to the Virgin Mary for neglected children, the poor and the sick.
Thousands of Romans and tourists gather for the annual event, held on what is a public holiday.
For some, this year, it is a day they will never forget.
Pope greets the sick and infirm at Rome's Spanish Steps, Dec 8 pic.twitter.com/1uz1yhKOx0
— Gerard O'Connell (@gerryorome) 8 décembre 2016