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.”