Vatican's Christmas Tree aglow

(21 Dec. 2006) : The 108-feet tall fir Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square was illuminated on Wednesday during a short afternoon ceremony presided over by Archbshop Giovanni Lajolo, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State. On hand were religious and civil authorities of Calabria, the Italian region that donated the 9 ton tree, which came from the Sila National Park. At the top of the tree is a large star, symbol of light which envelops the world with the Lord's birth. The tree stands beside the enormous nativity scene that will remain veiled until Christmas Eve. It has 17 life-size statues. Of these, nine are the original figures donated by St. Vincent Pallotti for the nativity scene in the Roman church of Sant'Andrea della Valle in 1842. There are further thirteen sculpted wooden figures and animals, as well as household utensils for the depiction of daily life. The tradition of placing a nativity scene and Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square began in 1982, during the pontificate of John Paul II.