The Christmas atmosphere once again enveloped St. Peter's Square. Local Italian bands played traditional Christmas carols before the eyes of thousands of tourists and curious people.
What was to be inaugurated was the Nativity scene and the tree, which this year were to be admired more than usual.
CARD. FERNANDO VÉRGEZ
President, Governorate of Vatican City State
This year, the solemnity of Christmas coincides with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, which marks the inauguration of the Jubilee. Therefore, the tree and the Nativity scene will have even greater visibility due to the large flow of pilgrims expected for the Holy Year.
The tree is 95 feet tall and comes from an Italian region where care is taken to ensure that there is a generational replacement of fir trees.
The Nativity scene comes from Grado, a Mediterranean town located on the northern coast of Italy. It represents the traditional fishermen's hut from the beginning of the 20th century. The Three Wise Men arrive by boat and local craftsmen worked day and night to create this work.
The moment of the inauguration filled St. Peter's Square with light and also with excitement in anticipation of the imminent arrival of Christmas.
JRB
TR: GS
