12/25, Christmas in Rome We went to mass at Sant’ Ignazio church, to a carnival at Piazza Navona, and to see other sights. Most of Rome was closed for December 25 and 26.

12/25, Credits Most pictures were taken by Joe Naumann Some were from Lea Barlow’s gift CD (thanks Lea) Maps and animations were from the Internet.

12/25, Sant’ Ignazio, the major Jesuit church in Rome is attached to the Jesuit Gregorium (biblical institute

12/25, Bridge connecting the Gregorium and Sant’ Ignazio to the Jesuit building on the right

12/25, Due to misinformation, we went at 9:00 a.m. and had missed the 8:00 mass. We did make the 11:30 a.m. one

12/25, The most special moment of the time in Rome was receiving the Eucharist at Sant’ Ignazio on Christmas morning.

12/25, Side altar at Sant’ Ignazio – there is a world famous fresco on the ceiling of the church by Andrea Pozzo

12/25, Ready for old-style confession

12/25, Fantastic sculptures and frescos by famous artists

12/25, Another side altar

12/25, After mass, we had lunch and napped. Then we headed for Piazza Navona and a surprise.

12/25, Beautiful floral display along a street on the way to the piazza Navona (it surprised us because it was late December)

12/25, Police on duty – we saw policemen all over the city.

12/25, My first view of the piazza and the carnival (a very large, oval piazza with three fountains by Bernini)

12/25, Yearly Christmas carnival at Navona

12/25, An atmosphere of celebration

12/25, The largest church on the piazza – Sant’ Agnese in Agone

12/25, Finger puppet show and fountain Fontana del Moro by Bernini

12/25, Four rivers fountain by Bernini

12/25, The four rivers fountain is topped by an obelisk.

12/25, Carousel

12/25, Mime performance artists

12/25, Palazzo di Giustizia

12/25, Christmas Day Finale Most restaurants were closed on Christmas, and those that were open had highly priced fixed menus. Mary Jane, Ginny, Jodi, and I decided to pay for a fix-menu meal at the larger Oxford Hotel – a sister hotel to the Hotel Regno. The meal was excellent and the service and company were wonderful.