- Title: Christians visiting Vatican wish for love, peace and cleaner environment
- Date: 24th December 2019
- Summary: VATICAN CITY (DECEMBER 24, 2019) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PEOPLE QUEUING AT ST. PETER'S SQUARE ENTRANCE VARIOUS OF CARABINIERI MILITARY POLICEMAN CHECKING BAGS VARIOUS OF MAN TAKING PHOTOGRAPH OF ST. PETER'S BASILICA CHRISTMAS TREE IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE WITH STATUES IN THE BACKGROUND POLICEMAN TAKING PHOTOGRAPH OF NATIVITY SCENE IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE EYES OF ARGENTINEAN NUN, MARIA DE LA TERNURA STATUE IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINEAN NUN, MARIA DE LA TERNURA, SAYING: "I think that despite the fact that everything seems very dark today we must remember that today is the good night and that today there will be a great light that is our hope. God became a child to show us his love. This shows us that, although things seem very difficult at this moment, we have to put all our hope into it." ROME RESIDENT, ANNA MEDINA, POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS / ST. PETER'S BASILICA (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT, ANNA MEDINA, SAYING: "I hope we can have peace and serenity all over the world and that the environment can finally be enjoyed rather than destroyed. These are the main things I hope for." (SOUNDBITE) (English) BOLIVIAN TOURIST, MARIA SOL CABALLERO, SAYING: "I wish that people will be more open-minded so that everyone could listen to each other instead of saying or screaming what they think. I wish that we will hear more at each other." NUNS WALKING PAST HOMELESS MAN HOMELESS MAN SEATED ON GROUND HOMELESS MAN SEATED ON GROUND WITH ST. PETER'S BASILICA IN THE BACKGROUND HOMELESS MAN TAKING OFF SCARF VARIOUS OF PEOPLE TAKING SELFIES IN FRONT OF ST. PETER'S SQUARE PEOPLE ENTERING ST. PETER'S SQUARE MAN LOOKING AT PHONE WITH CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE BACKGROUND VARIOUS OF CARABINIERI MILITARY POLICEMEN CHECKING BAGS WOMAN PASSING THROUGH METAL DETECTOR PEOPLE IN FRONT OF COLUMNS IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE CARABINIERI MILITARY POLICEMAN LOOKING AT PEOPLE ENTERING ST. PETER'S SQUARE MAN TAKING PHOTOGRAPH OF CHRISTMAS TREE MAN TAKING PHOTOGRAPH OF ST. PETER'S BASILICA STATUE OF ST. PETER'S BASILICA FLASHING LIGHTS ON POLICE CAR POLICE CAR IN FRONT OF ST. PETER'S SQUARE
- Embargoed: 7th January 2020 20:25
- Keywords: Christmas Italy Rome Vatican City religion
- Location: ROME, ITALY
- City: ROME, ITALY
- Country: Vatican City
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001BBC5RUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Peace and solidarity top Christmas wishlist among the faithful gathered to attend the Pope's Mass on Tuesday (December 24).
A few hours before the beginning of Christmas, faithful from all over the world began to gather in St. Peter's Square and took the opportunity to share their wishlist before being photographed in front of the beautiful nativity scene and the majestic tree that dominates the square.
"I think that despite the fact that everything seems very dark today we must remember that today is the good night and that today there will be a great light that is our hope", Argentinean nun Maria De La Tenura told Reuters.
But as concerns for the environment grow, people also hoped for a greener future.
"I hope we can have peace and serenity all over the world and that the environment can finally be enjoyed rather than destroyed", Anna Medina added.
Security was tighter than normal for Christmas, with many police checking anyone wanting to enter the square. Pilgrims who entered the basilica, the largest church in Christendom, had to go through metal detectors.
Pope Francis, celebrating his seventh Christmas as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholic, is due to lead a solemn service Mass at 2030GMT in St. Peter's Basilica.
(Production: Antonio Denti, Fabiano Franchitti) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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