Vatican Christmas tree and Nativity scene to be inaugurated on 7 December.
The Vatican’s Christmas tree, a 27-metre-high red fir from the north Italian province of Bolzano, will be lit up in St Peter’s Square alongside a large-scale Nativity scene on Sunday 7 December at 18.30.
The towering tree was donated by the alpine municipalities of Lagundo and Val d’Ultimo, along with around 40 smaller trees which have been placed in various Vatican offices and buildings.
The mature trees were chosen as part of a natural renewal process and felled in line with sustainable reforestation practices, according to Vatican News.
Bishop Ivo Muser of Bolzano-Bressanone stressed that “the felling of the tree is not an act of disrespect but the result of careful forest management, where tree removal is part of an active care strategy that ensures the health of the forest and control its growth.”
The Vatican lights up its Christmas tree in St Peter’s Square tonight. Magical. pic.twitter.com/SQxezOBYWi— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) December 9, 2023
Last year the Vatican’s Christmas tree was the subject of controversy, after an appeal to Pope Francis to spare the 200-year-old “green giant” in the Val di Ledro forest was ignored.
Tradition
The festive tradition in St Peter’s Square began in 1982 after a Polish farmer presented Pope John Paul II with a Christmas tree that he had transported all the way from Poland.
Every year since then, the Vatican accepts a Christmas tree donated by a different European country or region of Italy.
Alongside the Christmas tree in Piazza San Pietro, the Vatican installs a large-scale Nativity scene, which is different every year.
Nativity scene
This Christmas, the Nativity scene comes from the Nocera Inferiore-Sarno diocese in Italy’s southern Campania region.
The Nativity scene incorporates elements and traditions typical of the Nocera area, including references to local spiritual figures including Sant’Alfonso Maria de Liguori, along with shepherds and fishermen.
Saint Alfonso (1696-1787) is best known in Italy for composing the beloved Italian Christmas carol Tu scendi dalle stelle (From Starry Skies Descending).
Two zampognari bagpipers will provide musical accompaniment to the scene which will be dominated by a large luminous comet whose tail will take the shape of an anchor.
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