Pope Benedict will be at the celebration
Religious celebration in Rome
19 September 2008Tourists planning a holiday to Rome this winter should be sure to witness the Feast of the Immaculate Conception as it is one of the most famous religious events, according to reports.
This December, Rome, the centre of the Roman Catholic world, will come alive in religious celebration when Pope Benedict leads a procession to the Virgin Mary on the Spanish Steps, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Catholics and those who are interested in religious tradition and history should head to the European destination, as the feast dates back over 500 years.
Beginning in 1476, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was officially adopted by the Vatican as a holiday in 1854 following visions from Saint Catherine Laboure.
Although many believe the celebration to be about the conception of Jesus, the event is actually held around the conception of Mary.
She is thought to have been born free of original sin, so that Jesus would be pure when born.
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