A 25-meter red fir tree from northern Italy has arrived in St. Peter’s Square, continuing a Vatican tradition first introduced by Pope John Paul II in 1982. The towering Christmas tree, donated this year by the municipalities of Lagundo and Val d’Ultimo in the province of Bolzano, will remain a centerpiece of Vatican festivities throughout the Christmas season.
The tree was selected from the scenic Val d’Ultimo region, an area known for its pristine forests, lakes, and mountain landscapes. Forestry officials carefully examined and approved the tree as part of a natural renewal and woodland management process.
Alongside the main tree, the Vatican will also receive forty smaller trees to be placed in various offices and buildings throughout the Holy See.
Bishop Ivo Muser of Bolzano-Bressanone emphasized that the felling of the tree was carried out responsibly. “This is the result of careful forest management,” he said, explaining that removing mature trees helps preserve the forest’s health and balance. In South Tyrol, he noted, reforestation is a long-standing and essential practice: for every tree removed, new ones are planted to ensure sustainable woodland growth for future generations.
In keeping with the Vatican’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the Christmas tree will continue to serve a purpose after the season ends. An Austrian company, Wilder Naturprodukte, will extract essential oils from its branches, while the remaining wood will be donated to charity for repurposing.
The tradition of a Vatican Christmas tree began when a Polish farmer gifted a tree to Pope John Paul II in 1982. Since then, regions and countries across Europe have considered it an honor to present a Christmas tree to the Pope each year.
Credit: Vatican News
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