Christmas in Italy: Christmas Eve

Many Italians begin Christmas Eve with a sumptuous meal. The meal is all the more satisfying for those who follow the Roman Catholic custom of fasting on Christmas Eve. Traditionally, the Christmas Eve meal is meatless, although many delicious seafood, grain, and vegetable courses may be served. Eel is a favorite main course for this meal. As midnight draws near, many Italians leaves their homes to attend Midnight Mass. One lucky group will be able to attend mass at St. Peter’s Church in the Vatican, where the pope himself conducts the service. Television stations all over the world broadcast this service live from the Vatican.