Every 8 December, on the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Romans, and Pope Francesco present their tributes to the statue of the Virgin in Piazza Mignanelli, near the Spanish Steps.
According to tradition, at 7.30 am the Fire Brigade opens the celebrations by placing its garland of flowers on the arm of the bronze Marian statue, in memory and in honour of the 220 colleagues who in 1857, led by the architect Luigi Poletti, hoisted the statue by Giuseppe Obici on the 11.81 meter high Cipollino marble column, inaugurating the monument.
The traditional mass dedicated to the world of work and lay groups takes place at 9.00 am in the church of the Santissima Trinità dei Monti. The participants will follow up to Piazza Mignanelli for the floral tribute to the Madonna.
At noon the Holy Father celebrates the customary Angelus in St. Peter's Square.
The Franciscans of the Basilica dei Santi XII Apostoli have been entrusted with the task of animating the day with songs and prayers, receiving the brotherhoods, lay groups, and parishes that will bring their floral homage to the Madonna. The church of the historic centre, among other things, hosts the oldest novena at the Immaculate Conception in Rome.
At 4 pm, the Pope, welcomed by the cardinal vicar Angelo De Donatis and the civil authorities, participates in the tribute of the city praying in front of the monument after leaving the traditional flowers at the foot of the obelisk. The tradition goes on since 1953 to testify to the special relationship between the Bishop of Rome and his city.
Photo credits: Andrea Giannetti/Ag. Toiani
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