Pope Francis has a tip for Christmas shoppers this holiday season: don't become a "slave" to material things.
The head of the Roman Catholic church made his annual speech on the steps of a Rome shopping center near the Spanish Steps, reported The Associated Press.
Pope Francis' speech on Dec. 8 marks the anniversary of Immaculate Conception feast day which honors both the Virgin Mary and the traditional start of the city's holiday shopping season.
In light of the busy shopping season, Pope Francis prayed that "humanity be freed of all spiritual and material slavery" and expressed hope that people would "go counter-current" by concentrating less on themselves, reported AP.
Instead of focusing on yourself this holiday season, Pope Francis urges people to pay more attention to the poor and other parts of society that could use nurturing.
