{{Short description|Decorated tree erected annually in Saint Peter's Square}} [[File:Vatican Christmas Tree.jpg|thumb|upright|Vatican Christmas Tree. Christmas Day 2007.]] The '''Vatican Christmas Tree''', also called the '''Saint Peter's Square Christmas Tree''', is the [[Christmas tree|decorated tree]] that is erected annually in the [[Saint Peter's Square]] directly in front of [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in the [[Vatican City]] to celebrate the [[Christmas and holiday season|Christmas holiday season]].
The tradition of placing a [[Christmas tree]] and a life-size [[Nativity scene]] in [[Saint Peter's Square]] started in 1982 during the pontificate of [[Pope John Paul II]],<ref name="NECN/APTV"/> when the Polish-born Pope introduced the Northern European tradition of the Christmas Tree to the Vatican.<ref name="globalpost">{{cite news | title =Christmas: A tree grows in St. Peter's Square | work =Angelica Marin| publisher =globalpost| date =December 19, 2009| url =http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/italy/091217/christmas-tree-vatican| access-date = 2009-12-23}}</ref> Though the tradition of erecting a Christmas Tree was celebrated in northern and central Europe, such as in Poland, [[Pope John Paul II]]'s country of origin, it was not yet celebrated in the Vatican.
The first tree came from [[Italy]]. Since then, the offering of the Christmas Tree to the [[Pope]] has become an honour, and each year the Vatican accepts a tree donated by a different European country or region.<ref name="NECN/APTV">{{cite news | title =Christmas tree is delivered to Saint Peter's square | publisher =NECN/APTV | date =December 4, 2009 | url = http://www.necn.com/Boston/Arts-Entertainment/2009/12/04/Christmas-tree-is-delivered-/1259950675.html | access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref><ref name="PEFC International ">{{cite news|title=PEFC Certified Christmas Tree to Light St. Peter's Square |publisher=PEFC International |date=2009-12-10 |url=http://www.pefc.org/news-a-media/general-sfm-news/260- |access-date=2009-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321054345/http://pefc.org/news-a-media/general-sfm-news/260- |archive-date=March 21, 2013 }}</ref>
The Christmas tree is installed in the centre of Saint Peter's Square, together with a life-size nativity scene that is unveiled on [[Christmas Eve]].<ref name="NECN/APTV "/> The nativity scene has seventeen life-size statues. Of these, nine are the original figures donated in 1842 by [[Saint]] [[Vincent Pallotti]] for the nativity scene at the Roman church of [[Sant'Andrea della Valle]], and the other eight figures were added later on. In 2006 the Italian province of [[Trentino]], and the local council of a village of [[Tesero]], provided a further thirteen sculpted wooden figures and animals, as well as household utensils for the depiction of daily life.<ref name="Vatican Information Service ">{{cite news| title = Lighting of the Christmas Tree in St Peter's Square Tonight| work = Vatican Information Service| date = 20 December 2006| url = https://chronicleofameanderingtraveller.blogspot.com/2006/12/lighting-of-christmas-tree-in-st.html| access-date = 2009-12-21| archive-date = 2010-10-06| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101006014341/http://chronicleofameanderingtraveller.blogspot.com/2006/12/lighting-of-christmas-tree-in-st.html| url-status = dead}}</ref>
==Trees== {|class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Species ! Height ! Location grown at ! Notes |- |2023 | White spruce | {{convert|25|m}} |[[Alps]] mountains, Italy | Unveiled on December 9, 2023. Decorated with [[Leontopodium nivale|edelweiss]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thevaticantickets.com/vatican-christmas-tree/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210212729/https://www.thevaticantickets.com/vatican-christmas-tree/ | archive-date=2023-12-10 | title=Vatican Christmas Tree 2024 - History & More Details }}</ref> |- |2022 | [[White fir]] | {{convert|30|m}} |[[Rosello]], Italy | Unveiled on December 3, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-11 |title=Christmas creche, tree to be unveiled in the Vatican - Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-11/christmas-creche-tree-to-be-unveiled-in-vatican-saint-peters.html |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=www.vaticannews.va |language=en}}</ref> |- |2021 | ''[[Picea abies]]'' | {{convert|28|m}} |[[Andalo]], Italy | On Friday, December 10, the lighting of the tree took place along with the inauguration of the Nativity scene. The Vatican Governorate used sustainable low-energy LED lighting, as has been custom in the past years. Weighing eight tons, the tree was from a sustainable forestry management project in the northern Italian region of Trentino, and was a gift to the Vatican from the Trentino Delegation along with 600 wooden decorations handcrafted by Andalo artisans.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-10/nativity-scene-peru-st-peters-christmas-tree-trentino.html | title=2021 Vatican Nativity Scene hails from the Andes - Vatican News | date=28 October 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2021-11/christmas-tree-st-peters-square.html | title=Christmas Tree arrives in St. Peter's Square - Vatican News | date=23 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/vatican-christmas-tree-arrives-in-st-peters-square-2.html | title=Vatican Christmas tree arrives in St Peter's Square | date=23 November 2021 }}</ref> |- |2020 |Spruce | {{convert|30|m}} |[[Kočevje]], Slovenia | The tree was 75 years old, weighed 7 tonnes and had a volume of 5.33 m<big>³.</big> |- | 2019 | [[Spruce]] | {{convert|26|m}} | [[Veneto]], Italy | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/12/vatican-unveils-nativity-scene-lights-christmas-tree/|title=Vatican unveils Nativity scene, lights Christmas tree|first=Crux|last=Now|date=5 December 2019|access-date=7 January 2020}}</ref> |- | 2018 | Spruce | {{convert|23|m}} | [[Pordenone]], Italy | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-11/christmas-tree-vatican-city-st-peters-square-2018.html|title=Christmas tree set up in St. Peter's Square|first=Vatican|last=News|date=22 November 2018|access-date=7 January 2020}}</ref> |- | 2017 | [[Spruce]] | {{convert|21|m}} | [[Gołdap]], Poland | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/towering-christmas-tree-arrives-at-vatican-from-poland/2017/11/23/af052412-d056-11e7-a87b-47f14b73162a_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123151646/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/towering-christmas-tree-arrives-at-vatican-from-poland/2017/11/23/af052412-d056-11e7-a87b-47f14b73162a_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 November 2017|title=Towering Christmas tree arrives at Vatican from Poland|agency=Associated Press|date=23 November 2017|access-date=6 December 2017|via=www.WashingtonPost.com}}</ref> |- | 2016 | Spruce | {{convert|25|m}} | [[Trento]], Italy | The tree was illuminated by 18,000 LED lights and decorated with the ceramic ornaments, made by children in hospitals across Italy who are receiving treatment for cancer and other illnesses. The Christmas tree and the Nativity scene was lit on December 9.<ref>{{cite web |url =http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/11/25/vatican_environment_friendly_christmas_tree_st_peters_squ/1274702|title =Vatican 'environment friendly' Christmas tree erected in St. Peter's Square|date =25 November 2016 |publisher =Vatican Radio|access-date =29 November 2016}}</ref> |- | 2015 | Spruce | {{convert|25|m}} | Ehenfeld bei [[Hirschau]], [[Oberpfalz]], [[Bavaria]], Germany | <ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.br.de/nachrichten/oberpfalz/inhalt/hirschau-papst-christbaum-delegation-oberpfalz-100.html|title =Hirschauer Christbaum leuchtet auf dem Petersplatz (German) |date =December 18, 2015|publisher =BR.de |access-date =20 December 2015}}</ref> |- | 2014 | [[Fir]] | {{convert|25|m}} | [[Calabria]], [[Southern Italy]] | <ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.cdom.org/CatholicDiocese.php?op=Article_Vatican+Christmas+Tree|title =Vatican Christmas Tree|date =December 8, 2014|publisher =The Catholic Diocese of Memphis|access-date =12 December 2014|archive-date =4 March 2016|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160304132557/http://www.cdom.org/CatholicDiocese.php?op=Article_Vatican+Christmas+Tree|url-status =dead}}</ref> |- | 2013 | Fir | {{convert|25|m}} | [[Waldmünchen]], Bavaria, Germany | This would be the second time this region donated a Christmas Tree, last being in 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/at-the-vatican-its-beginning-to-look-a-bit-like-christmas/|title=At the Vatican, it's beginning to look a bit like Christmas|date=4 December 2013|website=Wordpress.com|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> |- | 2012 | Silver Fir | {{convert|30|m}} | [[Pescopennataro]], Italy | <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.catholicregister.org/news/international/item/15520-vatican-nativity-scene-sets-holy-family-in-rock-hewn-grottos-of-matera |title=Vatican Nativity scene sets Holy Family in rock-hewn grottos of Matera |access-date=2012-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616110831/http://catholicregister.org/news/international/item/15520-vatican-nativity-scene-sets-holy-family-in-rock-hewn-grottos-of-matera |archive-date=2013-06-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | 2011 | Spruce | {{convert|30|m}} | [[Zakarpattia Oblast]], Ukraine | The tree was a gift from Ukraine, a spruce from the [[Zakarpattia Oblast]], 30.5 meters high and with a trunk of 56 centimeters. It had more than 700 branches, which were decorated with 2,500 silver- and gold-colored baubles illuminated by white and yellow lights. It was raised on December 5 and inaugurated on December 16 in the presence of bishops from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://press.catholica.va/news_services/press/vis/dinamiche/c3_en.htm |title=VIS-Press releases |access-date=2011-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201102055/http://press.catholica.va/news_services/press/vis/dinamiche/c3_en.htm |archive-date=2011-12-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="CathNewsUSA" >{{cite news | title =98-foot Vatican Christmas tree arrives| publisher =CathNewsUSA| date =December 5, 2011 | url = http://www.cathnewsusa.com/2011/12/98-foot-vatican-christmas-tree-arrives/| access-date = 16 December 2011}}</ref>
|- | 2010 | Spruce | {{convert|33.5|m}} | [[Bolzano]], [[South Tyrol]], northern Italy | 94 years old tree.<ref>{{cite news | title =Decorations are underway for Vatican Christmas tree | publisher = romereports.com | date =2010-12-06 | url = http://www.romereports.com/palio/Decorations-are-underway-for-Vatican-Christmas-tree-english-3202.html | access-date = 23 December 2010}}</ref> The tree came from a [[Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification|PEFC certified]], sustainable managed forest surrounding [[Lüsen]] in South Tyrol, northern Italy. It was lit in the presence of [[Pope Benedict XVI]] on 17 December.<ref>{{cite news| title = Vatican Receives PEFC Certified Christmas Tree| publisher = pefc.org| date = 6 Dec 2010| url = http://www.pefc.org/index.php/news-a-media/general-sfm-news/news-detail/item/668-vatican-receives-pefc-certified-christmas-tree| access-date = 23 December 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110727171542/http://www.pefc.org/index.php/news-a-media/general-sfm-news/news-detail/item/668-vatican-receives-pefc-certified-christmas-tree| archive-date = 27 July 2011| url-status = dead}}</ref>
|- | 2009 | {{nowrap|[[Norway Spruce]]}} | {{convert|30|m}} | [[Ardennes]] forests near [[Spa, Belgium|Spa]], [[Wallonia]], Belgium | The tree was 90 years old, more than 30 meters high, weighed 14 tons, with a trunk circumference of 2.65 metres, and branches at the bottom spread out 8 metres<ref name="PEFC International "/><ref name="NECN/APTV "/>
The giant tree came from a [[Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification|PEFC certified]], sustainably managed Ardennes forests in the Belgian region of Wallonia near the town of Spa.<ref name="globalpost"/><ref name="PEFC International "/> It was decorated with 2,000 gold and silver colored bulbs and 1,500 lights. The lights were turned on by two children from Belgium<ref name=" bigpondnews ">{{cite news | title =Tree lit in St Peter's Square | publisher = bigpondnews | date =December 19, 2009 | url = http://bigpondnews.com/articles/TopStories/2009/12/19/Tree_lit_in_St_Peters_Square_408376.html| access-date = 2009-12-21}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> during the opening ceremony held on 18 December 2009.<ref name=" EWTN ">{{cite news | title = St. Peter's Square Welcomes Traditional Christmas Tree | work = Catholic News Agency | publisher = EWTN | date =8 December 2009 | url = http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=99273| access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref> The tree was adorned with white and gold ornaments.<ref name=" bigpondnews "/>
The Belgian town of Spa also donated 40 small fir trees to decorate the halls and rooms of the Vatican City.<ref name=" EWTN "/>
|- | 2008 | Norway spruce | {{convert|33|m}} | [[Gutenstein, Austria|Municipality of Gutenstein]], [[Lower Austria]], Austria <ref name=" saintpetersbasilica.org ">{{cite news | title =Christmas at St Peter's | publisher = saintpetersbasilica.org | url = http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Info/Christmas/ChristmasCard-7.htm | access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref> | 120 years old tree. The Christmas Tree, which was 33 metres high and 120 years old, was donated by Austria.<ref name=" zimbio ">{{cite news | title =Christmas Tree Arrives In St Peter's Square | work = Franco Origlia/Getty Images Europe | publisher = zimbio | date = December 5, 2008 | url = http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/Fpw9fFjWf62/Christmas+Tree+Arrives+St+Peter+Square | access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref>
|- | 2007 | Fir | {{convert|30|m}} | [[Val Badia]], in the [[Dolomites]] mountains, Italy<ref name=" saintpetersbasilica.org "/><ref name=" encyclopedia.com ">{{cite news | title =30-meter Christmas tree hoisted into place in St. Peter's Square| work =AP Worldstream | publisher = encyclopedia.com | date =December 5, 2007 | url = http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1A1-D8TB8RF84.html| access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref> | |- | 2006 | Fir | {{convert|33.5|m}}<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | [[Taverna, Calabria|Taverna]], [[Calabria]], Italy<ref name=" saintpetersbasilica.org "/> | |- | 2005 | Fir | {{convert|33|m}} | [[Afiesl]], [[Upper Austria]], Austria<ref name=" Cardinal Schonborn "/> | The Christmas tree was donated by a group of Austrian pilgrims from the town of Afiesl, which is located in a province of Upper Austria. They also donated 32 small trees to decorate the papal apartments.<ref name=" Cardinal Schonborn ">{{cite news| title = An Austrian Christmas tree graces St. Peter's square this year| publisher = Cardinal Schonborn| date = December 25, 2005| url = http://www.cardinalschonborn.com/2005/12/austrian-christmas-tree-graces-st.html| access-date = 2009-12-21| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081205043753/http://www.cardinalschonborn.com/2005/12/austrian-christmas-tree-graces-st.html| archive-date = December 5, 2008| url-status = dead}}</ref> |- | 2004 | Fir | {{convert|32.5|m}} | [[Pinzolo]], [[Trento]] region, [[Alps]] mountains, Italy | A 100-year-old, 105-foot-tall Christmas tree brought down from the Italian Alps<ref name="xx">{{cite news | title =Ailing Pope Prays For Peace | work =Joel Roberts | publisher = cbsnews | date =Dec 24, 2004 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ailing-pope-prays-for-peace/ | access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref> |- | 2003 | Spruce | {{convert|32|m}} | [[Pré-Saint-Didier]], [[Aosta Valley|Valle D’Aosta]], Italy | A 98-foot-tall, 110-year-old spruce tree from the northern Italian region of Valle D'Aosta<ref name="CNA"/> The Christmas tree, along with twenty other smaller ones that have been placed in and around the Vatican, were the gifts of the northern Italian region of Valle D'Aosta to the Pope for Christmas 2003.
Pope John Paul II spent seven summer vacations in Valle D'Aosta, and one large Alpine mountain on the border with France has been named after him. The tree was symbolically presented to the Pope by three hundred people from Valle D’Aosta, including the governor of the region, at the general audience.<ref name="CNA">{{cite news | title =Pope receives 110 year-old Christmas tree | publisher =CNA Catholic News Agency | date =Dec 11, 2003 | url = https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/338/pope-receives-110-year-old-christmas-tree | access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref> |- | 2002 | Fir | {{convert|28|m}} | [[Gorski kotar]], Croatia <ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/><ref>{{cite news | title =Croatian Christmas Tree on St. Peter's square | work =Massimo Sambucetti | publisher =Croatian World Network | date =December 10, 2002 | url= http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/7652/1/E-100-feet-Christmas-tree-donated-by-Croatia-on-St-Peters-square.html| access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref> | |- | 2001 | | | [[Transylvania]], Romania<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/><ref name="Voice of America"/> | The Christmas tree came from Romania, with [[President of Romania|President]] [[Ion Iliescu]] present during the lighting ceremony.<ref name="Voice of America">{{cite news | title =Pope to Hold Christmas Eve Mass Under Tight Security - 2001-12-24| publisher =Voice of America | date =24 December 2001| url =https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2001-12-24-28-pope-67542737/387312.html| access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref> |- | 2000 | | | [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]], Austria<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1999 | | | [[Morávka (Frýdek-Místek District)|Moravka]], Czech Republic<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1998 | | | [[Schwarzwald]], Germany<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1997 | | | [[Zakopane]], [[Tatra Mountains]], Poland<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/><ref>{{cite news | title =Watykan: Choinka na Placu św. Piotra (in Polish)| publisher =wiadomosci24| date =2008-12-06| url =http://www.wiadomosci24.pl/artykul/watykan_choinka_na_placu_sw_piotra_83227.html| access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref> | Tree came from the garden of the [[:pl:Centrum Formacyjno-Szkoleniowe „Księżówka” w Zakopanem|Centrum Formacyjno-Szkoleniowe „Księżówka” w Zakopanem]]. |- | 1996 | | | [[Kočevje]], Slovenia<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1995 | | | [[Obertraubling]], [[Regensburg]], Germany<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1994 | | | [[Žilina]], Slovakia<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1993 | | | [[Graz]]-[[Seckau]], [[Styria]], Austria<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1992 | | | South Tyrol, Italy<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1991 | | | [[Vorarlberg]], Austria<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1990 | | | [[Ponte di Legno]], [[Brescia]], Italy<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1989 | | | [[Schärding]], Upper Austria, Austria<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1988 | | | [[Cadore]], Italy<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1987 | | | [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]], Austria<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1986 | | | [[Toblach]], South Tyrol<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1985 | | | South Tyrol, Italy<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1984 | | | [[Waldmünchen]], Bavaria, Germany<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1983 | | | Tyrol, Austria<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy"/> | |- | 1982 | Fir | | [[Alban Hills]], Italy<ref name="dziennik zwiazkowy">{{cite news | title =Papież-Polak potrafi(ł)... (in Polish)| publisher =Polish Daily News | date =2007-12-21| url = http://dziennikzwiazkowy.com/pub.php?id=5685| archive-url = https://archive.today/20070806140811/http://dziennikzwiazkowy.com/pub.php?id=5685| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2007-08-06| access-date = 2009-12-21}}</ref> | |}
==See also== *[[Index of Vatican City-related articles]] *[[List of individual trees]]
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
{{Christmas trees}} {{Commons category|Christmas trees in Saint Peter's Square}} {{coords|41.902|12.455|display=title}}
[[Category:1982 establishments in Vatican City]] [[Category:Recurring events established in 1982]] [[Category:Pope John Paul II]] [[Category:Christmas traditions]] [[Category:Individual Christmas trees]] [[Category:Culture of Vatican City]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Vatican City]] [[Category:Individual trees in Vatican City]] [[Category:Christmas traditions in Europe|Vatican]]