Italian bakers give Pope sweet bread to feed the poor

Rome, Italy, Dec 3, 2009 / 13:23 pm

The Italian Federation of Bread Bakers has donated 1,000 loaves of “panettone” (a traditional Christmas sweet bread) to the Holy Father who will distribute them to the poor in Rome. As an expression of their affection for the Pope, they also gave him “the largest panettone we’ve ever made” as a special gift.

The sweet bread will be distributed to the poor at the Dono di Maria Shelter and by Caritas of Rome.

The president of the federation said the Italian bakers also wished to convey to the Holy Father their desire that “Sunday be respected as a day for the family.”