by Elena, age 8, asks Babbo Natale why do you look more regal or king-like than the American Santa?, about the Tiber River, and what Vatican City is
Dear Babbo Natale,
My name is Elena 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, why do you look more regal or king-like than the American Santa?
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 a plate of cannoli, my nonna’s specialty.
Love, Elena, age 8, Rome, Italy, Rome, Italy
From the Desk of Babbo Natale
Dear Elena, thank you for the treat, it was wonderful. Now, to your questions.
Why do you look more regal or king-like than the American Santa?
Italy has a long history of grand, ceremonial dress, and I suppose a bit of that regal Italian style rubbed off on my coat over the centuries.
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, Elena.
Ho ho ho, Babbo Natale
