Mass of Tourists Rush Souvenir Shops, top-selling item revealed
Rewritten Article:
Pope Francis' funeral sends Rome's souvenir shops into overdrive
Get ready to see a wave of Pope Francis merchandise flooding Rome's streets as pilgrims flock to the city for his upcoming funeral on Saturday.
Photos, postcards,posters, and other Francis-related knickknacks are flying off shelves faster than you can say "Holy Father."
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From mugs and t-shirts to rosaries, trinkets, calendars, and even mini holograms - Rome's souvenir shops are busy whipping up a whole new line of Francis memorabilia. Alongside medals, candles, notebook sets, and coin collections, these holograms have become quite the sensation. The plastic image can depict either Francis or Jesus, depending on how you hold it.
Variety of icons and candles
Eugenio Astrologo's expansive souvenir shop, situated just 100 meters from St. Peter's Square, has been a Rome institution since 1960. No pilgrim approaches the Vatican without giving it a peek - boasting one of Rome's most extensive collections of religious artifacts. From rosaries to portraits of the Pope to exquisite wooden crucifixes, you'll find an unrivaled selection of religious statues, icons, knickknacks, candles highlighting Francis, his predecessors Benedict XVI and John Paul II, and postcards.
Visitors to the Vatican have been stocking up on souvenirs. The official mascot of the Holy Year, "Luce" (Light), is in particularly high demand. This Manga-inspired character sports large, round eyes with scallop shells as pupils, framed by blue hair and wearing a yellow Vatican raincoat, symbolizing life's struggles. Luce holds a pilgrim's staff, wears a colorful rosary, and sports muddy boots.
Frustration over low-quality goods
Cheap products and counterfeits are also on the rise in these bustling days before Francis' funeral. Street vendors in the vicinity of St. Peter's Square are selling rosaries with the likeness of the Holy Father, postcards, and books about Pope Francis' pontificate.
Some time ago, the Vatican enlisted an Italian lawyer to tackle the misuse of Vatican images on souvenirs, which eventually led to a lawsuit against Chinese owners of a Rome souvenir shop selling unauthorized items containing the Vatican's emblem. Approximately 15,000 items, including magnets with Pope Francis' image and rosaries stamped with the papal seal, were confiscated.
As pilgrims flock to Rome to bid farewell to the beloved Pope, more vendors are capitalizing on the demand for souvenirs and religious tokens. From exclusive Pope Francis merchandise to affordable trinkets, there's a little something for everyone. So, come on down and join in the excitement!
- As the economic and monetary union of pilgrims converges in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral, souvenir shops are experiencing a boost in sales, stocking their shelves with an array of Francis-related merchandise such as holograms, mugs, trinkets, calendars, and rosaries.
- On Monday, shoppers flocking to Rome's home-and-garden, shopping, or general-news district will find an abundance of souvenirs representing Pope Francis' lifestyle, from T-shirts to replicas of the official mascot "Luce."
- After Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday, tourists may continue their shopping spree at terminis and other influential areas in Rome, where they can explore a variety of religious icons, candles, statues, and knickknacks reminding them of the pope and his predecessors.
- As the sports sector in Rome gears up for the ultimate farewell to Pope Francis, souvenir shops have begun offering exclusive collectibles such as mini holograms depicting the pope or Jesus, catering to a wide range of enthusiasts eager to acquire these sought-after items.
- Sellers near St. Peter's Square, however, face a challenge with the increasing number of low-quality goods and counterfeits infiltrating the market, prompting the Vatican to take legal action against offenders misusing the Vatican's images on souvenirs, as earlier seen with the Chinese owners of a Rome souvenir shop.
