In Italy, where a holiday at the beach in August has traditionally been seen as a God-given right, that view has now been endorsed by none other than the Pope.

For the first time in his pontificate, Pope Francis has dug into Vatican funds to provide a day at the seaside to those who normally cannot afford it – the homeless.

The initiative comes as millions of Italians flocked to the coast on Monday for the annual Ferragosto holiday, which has its origins in ancient Roman times and is regarded as the high point of the long summer break.

The Pope has instructed his chief alms-giver, a Polish priest, to take groups of homeless people who normally live rough around the Vatican on day trips to beach resorts that lie a few miles west of the capital.

The Holy See even provides towels and swimming costumes, and the day ends with a meal in a pizzeria – also paid for by Vatican largesse.