A short history of the Vatican Christmas Trees
Every December, a giant Christmas tree decorates St. Peter's Square. For years, only Italian regions gave it to the Vatican as a gift. But in 2008 this spruce came all the way from Piesting Valley, in Austria. It was 109 feet tall and had 120 years. After Austria, it was the turn of Belgium. In 2009, this fir of 89 feet and 6 tons came from the town of Spa. Italy also gave a spruce in 2010. More than 3,000 golden spheres were needed to decorate it. Benedict XVI December, 2010 "The tree will stay by the Nativity Scene until after Christmas, to be admired by many pilgrims and tourists from around the world. It is a significant symbol of the light that Christ, by his birth, has given Humanity.â? Ukraine also donated a Christmas tree to the Vatican. It was the year 2011, and it had traveled roughly 900 miles from the town Zakarpattia. Several representatives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church were present at the tree lighting ceremony. The same year Pope emeritus Benedict XVI resigned this Christmas tree arrived from his native Bavaria, in Germany. With 100 feet of height, it was one of tallest ever installed at St. Peter's Square. The Vatican has an official Christmas Tree since 1982. Italy is the country that has donated the Vatican a Christmas Tree. PM RR VM -PR Up: MPI
