Pope Francis will visit Rome's Spanish Steps during national public holiday on 8 December.

In a tradition dating back to 1958, after kneeling in prayer the pope leaves a floral wreath which firemen then place on the statue of the Madonna in the square, in a ceremony usually attended by Rome's mayor.

The pope’s visit to the historic centre will result in a number of street closures and bus detours in the area around the Spanish Steps throughout the day.

Later that afternoon Rome's mayor Virginia Raggi is expected to illuminate the city's Christmas tree, popularly known as Spelacchio, in the central Piazza Venezia.