The rite of St. Stephen's homily was repeated today, as is tradition, read under a bell immersed five meters deep in the cold waters of the Royal Flush, in front of Piazza Unità d'Italia. Don Francesco Pesce, an expert diver with a license, tank, wetsuit, and fins, dived into the sea, where there were already many divers, some dressed as Santa Claus, for the 47th Christmas diver organized by the Sub sea club of Trieste.
Earlier, Mayor Roberto Dipiazza took the floor for a greeting under the stand set up in front of the Royal Staircase, next to a large truck with a monitor mounted on it on which the underwater ceremony was broadcast, followed by the crowd present.
Fr Francesco Pesce, protected by the bell, read the homily and wished everyone "a Christmas in which people prevail over consumption", and remembered Elvio Bortolin, a pioneer of spearfishing in Trieste, who died recently.
He was greeted on the surface later by a long round of applause.
The organizers explained that it is a "unique event in Europe", For the first time, a deaf girl dived in apnea with Don Francesco to raise awareness on the issue of disability.
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