A crowd gathered at the Vatican for the inauguration of the Nativity scene and Christmas tree. This lively event usually takes place in St. Peter's Square, but the relentless rain forced spectators into Paul VI hall.
This year, the Christmas tree is from Andalo, in northern Italy, while the Nativity scene is from the Huancavelica region in the Peruvian Andes.
-'The tree and Nativity scene aim to unite races, cultures and languages, to express the universal call to holiness.'
Those present listened to a carol sung in Quechua by a choir of altar boys from Huancavelica. The choir was unable to travel to the Vatican, so they participated in the festivities virtually.
The Bishop of Huancavelica, Carlos Salcedo Ojeda led a prayer asking for, among other things, the environment, unity in Peru and people affected by the pandemic.
The event was attended by a delegation from Peru, including the regional governor of Huancavelica, Maciste Díaz Abad and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oscar Maúrtua de Romaña. (31:00)
-'We are especially excited to have the Christian Peru present here with a Nativity scene from Huancavelica, a great Andean region.'
This little girl had the honor of pressing the button to light up the Nativity Scene. The cold couldn't keep a crowd from gathering in St. Peter's Square for the highly anticipated moment.
The Christmas scene was completed with the lighting of the tree and the Vatican band's rendition of “Silent Night.”
The secretary of the Governorate of Vatican City State, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, who in November was named the Vatican's second ranking government official, concluded the event with an invitation to live out this Christmas season contemplating the message of peace and fraternity communicated by the Nativity Scene and Christmas tree.
-'It's an invitation to fix our gaze on the Nativity scene, as a reflection of that profound human desire for reciprocity, to care for the fragility and vulnerability that characterizes us all.'
The Nativity Scene and Christmas tree will adorn St. Peter's Square until Jan. 9, 2022.
CT
