One month is left until Christmas and preparations to decorate the Vatican are already underway. For example, this huge tree has already arrived to St. Peter's Square.
It was cut down four days ago in the forest of Cansiglio, the province of Pordenone, some 435 miles north of Rome.
It is 82 feet high and weighs 4.5 tons. It is an 80-year-old spruce. Its trunk measures 50 centimetres and its branches extend to 32 feet.
“It represents the joy of this Christmas season and I think it's very good.”
“The tree is the Christmas spirit for the Christian world, which is rooted in Christ.”
“Christmas is a place of love, of sympathy for all the people. Rome is one of the wonders of the world.”
“It is going to be very nice, I would like to see the tree when it is finished. Let's see if we can stay longer.”
Now they will begin to decorate and put lights on it. The fir tree will be lit in the afternoon of December 7. The lights will be energy efficient to limit the environmental impact. In the evening the manger they are preparing will also be revealed on St. Peter's Square.
The two great symbols of Christmas will remain in the square until January 13, 2019, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
