Pope Lights World's Biggest Christmas Tree

(December 08, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday used a tablet computer to remotely switch on the lights of the world's biggest Christmas tree over 160 kilometres away North of Rome. This tree, located in Gubbio, Umbria, Italy, is a "sign of universal peace and brotherhood among peoples," a statement from the Vatican noted. The "tree" is made up of an arrangement of coloured lights on the side of Mount Ingino. It is a tradition at the site since 1981. The base of the image is approximately 450 meters wide and it extends for 750 meters up the hillside from the city's mediaeval walls to the basilica of St. Ubaldo. The outline of the tree is traced with 300 green lights, and 400 multicoloured lights fill it in. The tree is illuminated every year on December 7, during a traditional celebration attended by representatives of the world of culture, show business and politics. Pope Benedict XVI activated the lights from his apartments in the Vatican Apostolic Palace. He touched the screen of a Sony Tablet with an Android operating system which, via the Internet, transmitted the command to switch on the electric current to the tree. In a television linkup with the people of Gubbio Pope Benedict reflected briefly on the height of the Christmas tree. He urged the people to fix their minds and hearts beyond the material things of this world and like this tree look upwards towards God, even during the current difficult moments.