As per tradition, St. Peter's Square is preparing for Christmas by setting up a Nativity scene and a Christmas tree. Preparations started the week before the beginning of Advent.
The Nativity scene is made of ceramic and comes from Castelli, in Abruzzo. It contains 54 statues and will be placed on a 125 square-meter platform.
The Christmas tree, a spruce, comes from Slovenia. It's trunk has a diameter of about two feet and is about 92 feet tall.
The inauguration ceremony will take place under strict security measures in place because of the pandemic. The date is set for Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m., local time, and will be led by Card. Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
The tree and Nativity scene will be on display until the end of the Christmas season, which coincides with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.
