Vatican makes final preparations before lighting Christmas tree and Nativity scene

The Vatican is putting its final touches on its preparations for the lighting of its Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square, and the inauguration of its Nativity scene, which will take place on Saturday December, 3 at 5 PM Rome time. 

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez, president of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, and its secretary general, Sister Raffaella Petrini, will attend the inauguration ceremony. 

This year, the nearly 100-foot tree comes from a town of about 1,200 residents in Italy's Abruzzo region. It takes the place of a white fir tree that wasn't able to be cut down because of its protected status. 

The hand carved Nativity scene comes from Sutrio, a town near Venice. 

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