TRIVIA BITS …
ITALIAN CHRISTMAS
Christmas in Italy is a religious period. At midnight in Rome, the bells of St Peter’s toll as the Pope commences a midnight Mass attended by the scarlet robed cardinals and members of the diplomatic corps in evening dress. This is generally televised world-wide.
Next morning another mass is celebrated in St Peters and then he delivers his Christmas message form the balcony above the main entrance to St Peters.
The Vatican piazza is decorated with life size 19th century crèche and a Christmas tree decorated with lights and garlands.
Some Italian homes do not have Christmas trees but rather wooden pyramids decorated with gifts. Traditionally the Italian Santa Claus is a female – the Lady Befana – who is reputed to ride forever looking for the baby she initially rejected and leaving gifts for good children as she passes.
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