Piazza del Popolo lights are linked to maternity ward in Rome hospital.

A public art project in Rome’s central Piazza del Popolo celebrates the "universal event of birth", according to its organisers the MAXXI Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI secolo.

Entitled Ai nati oggi, the installation by artist Alberto Garutti revolves around the square's lampposts being connected to the maternity ward at Rome's Gemelli hospital.

Each time the light pulses it signifies the birth of a baby.

The installation involves a button being pressed at the Gemelli on the occasion of every birth, upon which the light from the lampposts increases for about 30 seconds before returning to its regular power.

MAXXI says the installation - in place between July and the end of this year - is dedicated to each new arrival and all the newly-born babies that day in Rome.