Vatican Christmas tree to be lit on 7 December

28 Nov, 2017

Christmas tree and crib will remain in St Peter's Square until 7 January.

The Vatican’s giant nativity scene and Christmas tree will be unveiled officially in St Peter's Square at 16.30 on 7 December, according to a report by Vatican Radio.

This year's crib scene has been donated by the ancient Abbey of Montevergine in the Campania region of southern Italy. The crib backdrop and two-metre-high terracotta figures, complete with 18th-century Neapolitan costumes, were produced by local artisans.

The Christmas tree, a 28-metre-high red fir, has been donated by the archdiocese of Elk, in north-eastern Poland. The tree will be decorated with clay stars and baubles, designed and made by young cancer patients from several Italian hospitals, as well as a number of children from the earthquake-hit areas of central Italy.

The crib and tree will remain in St Peter's Square until 7 January.