Pope to visit nativity scene built by Rome street cleaners

Rome, Italy, Jan 3, 2006 / 22:00 pm

Following a tradition begun by his predecessor, on January 5 Pope Benedict XVI will visit the traditional Christmas nativity scene built by the street cleaners of Rome.

 

On Thursday at 6pm local time, the Pope will make his way to Porta Cavallegeri, where each year the city’s street cleaners display a nativity scene. The Pope will also meet there with Rome’s mayor, Walter Veltroni.

 

The visit to the street cleaner’s Christmas crèche has become a tradition after John Paul II made such visits during 24 consecutive Christmases.  Pope Paul VI also visited the crèche in 1974.