2010-12-17 17:48:37

Christmas is in the air in St Peter's Square


On Friday afternoon, the Christmas tree lights in St Peter’s Square were illuminated in a ceremony attended by the President of the Vatican Governorate. Earlier in the day Pope Benedict greeted a delegation from the South Tyrol in Northern Italy who this year donated the Vatican Christmas tree.

Anyone who has been in St Peter’s Square lately couldn’t have missed the imposing Christmas tree that stands at 1500 meters in height next to the crib currently under construction.

At a ceremony attended by Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, President of the Vatican Governorate the all important Christmas lights were illuminated adding further to the Christmas spirit in the air.

Earlier in the day Pope Benedict greeted a delegation from the South Tyrol who this year donated the Vatican Christmas tree.

The Holy Father told them that the tree “which will be admired over the Christmas season is a significant symbol of the light that Christ, with his birth, brought to humanity.”

The Christmas tree the Pope continued, “adds to the symbolic value of the crib, which is a message of brotherhood and friendship, and a call for unity and peace, an invitation to make room in our lives and in society, for God.”

Finally, Pope Benedict said, “the crib and the tree bring a message of hope and love, and help to create a positive environment in which to live in the right spiritual and religious dimension the mystery of the birth of the Redeemer.”

Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report here RealAudioMP3







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