by Luca, age 8, asks Babbo Natale did you used to wear a green robe instead of red?, about the Tiber River, and what Vatican City is
Dear Babbo Natale,
My name is Luca and I am 8 years old. I live in Rome, Italy, where my nonna makes a huge dinner on Christmas Eve called the Feast of the Seven Fishes, and I am only allowed to try a little bit of each one.
First, did you used to wear a green robe instead of red?
Second, a geography question: what river runs through Rome?
Third, a school question about my country: what is Vatican City, and why is it inside Rome?
I left you panettone and a small glass of milk, since Nonna says wine is not for children or reindeer.
Love, Luca, age 8, Rome, Italy, Rome, Italy
From the Desk of Babbo Natale
Dear Luca, thank you for the treat, it was wonderful. Now, to your questions.
Did you used to wear a green robe instead of red?
Long ago, yes, some early depictions of gift-bringers in this part of Europe favored green, but red became the standard everywhere over the last century or so, and I have kept it ever since.
What river runs through Rome?
The River Tiber winds right through the middle of Rome, past ancient bridges and under the walls of the old city, and I always follow it in from the coast because it is such a handy guide on a foggy night.
What is Vatican City, and why is it inside Rome?
Vatican City is its own tiny independent country, entirely surrounded by the city of Rome, and it is the headquarters of the Catholic Church, home to the Pope. It became its own separate state in 1929, and even though you could walk across the whole country in about twenty minutes, it is still officially the smallest country in the world.
Buon Natale, Luca.
Ho ho ho, Babbo Natale
