Christmas tree

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Pope Francis prays the Angelus on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2024.

World leaders must broker Christmas peace, Pope Francis urges during Angelus

Dec 8, 2024

The pope also encouraged everyone to “open our hearts and minds to the Lord Jesus, born of Mary Immaculate” as... Read more

Despite an online petition posted to change.org in mid-October that garnered over 53,000 signatures in protest of the evergreen to be used for the Vatican Christmas tree being chopped down, the tree arrived as scheduled in St. Peter’s Square at 7 a.m. on Nov. 21, 2024.

Vatican Christmas tree wreathed in controversy over environmental objections

Nov 21, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

An online petition posted to change.org in mid-October garnered over 53,000 signatures in protest of the evergreen being chopped down. Read more

Pope Francis meets a delegation of people who donated the Christmas tree and the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square and the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Dec. 10, 2021.

Pope Francis: Avoid ‘fake Christmas’ of commercialism by reflecting on God’s closeness

Dec 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s 2021 nativity scene was unveiled in St. Peter’s Square. Read more

Decorations on the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 11, 2020.

This year’s Vatican Christmas tree has ornaments handmade by the homeless

Dec 11, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Reaching a height of nearly 100 feet, the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square this year is adorned with handcrafted... Read more

Dec. 7, 2018, Vatican City - St. Peter's Square with the newly illuminated Christmas tree.

Pope Francis explains symbolism of Vatican Christmas tree and sand nativity

Dec 7, 2018

By Courtney Mares

As the Vatican illuminated its 65-foot Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square Friday, Pope Francis shared the deeper meaning found... Read more