(ANSA) - Vatican City, December 31 - Pope Francis on Monday
met the sculptors of this year's presepe or Nativity scene in St
Peter's Square, made of sand from the beach at Jesolo near
Venice.
Before visiting the presepe Francis led year-end ceremonies
in St Peter's Basilica including the traditional First Vespers
and the Te Deum, attended by, among others, Rome Mayor Virginia
Raggi.
At the Te Deum, the pope said 10,000 homeless people were
living "in slavery" in Rome.
Pope meets presepe sculptors
Made from Jesolo sand