December 4, 2009. Its starting to look a lot like Christmas at St. Peter’s Square.


With the construction of the nativity scene and this Christmas tree, almost eveything is in place for the big celebration.

The tree, which is 27 meters high and weighs 6 tons was cut down on Novembr 23rd and its a gift from the city of Spa in Belgium to the Pope.

The list of cities who want to donate a Christmas Tree to the Vatican is a long one.

Fabio Morod
Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (Belgium)
“We turned in our application 4 or 5 years ago to decorate St. Peter’s square this year, since every year many regions from all over Europe turn in applications to give a Christmas tree to the Pope.”

This special gift will be decorated over the next couple of days with thousands of lights and ornaments. But the public won’t be able to admire its beauty until mid December.

The first time a Christmas tree was part of a nativity scene at the Vatican was back in 1982. It was one of John Paul II wishes, for the two main symbols that represent this holiday, to adorn St. Peter’s Square.

MC/BR