

The Statue of the Holy Child of Ara Coeli: an Immemorial Roman Tradition
This parade of historical events, however, would probably mean very little for most ordinary Romans, who in the past would come and visit this basilica especially during Advent and during the Christmas period, to offer their prayers to the wooden statue of the Holy Child of Aracoeli – il Santo Bambino, or, in the Roman vernacular, er Pupone, an affectionate expression that makes gentle fun of the statue’s puffy cheeks.