January 11, 2013. (ROMEREPORTS.COM) (-ONLY VIDEO-) Benedict XVI met with Rome's local government officials on Friday morning. The Pope greeted regional president Renata Poverini as well as Rome's mayor Gianni Alemanno. As a gift, Poverini gave the Pope a gold embroidered stole, while Benedict XVI gave her a framed image of the Vatican Gardens.   


In light of Europe's economic situation, mayor Alemanno told the Pope, he's hoping 2013 will be a better year. He then gave the Pope 13,000 euros (about $17,000 U.S.) worth of food vouchers, that the Pope will distribute to local families in need.  As part of a yearly tradition, Alemanno also gave the Pope a medal, which symbolizes the birth of the Eternal City, officially celebrated on April. The mayor told the Pope, “Usually the medal is made of gold, but this year, it's made out of bronze.”