How is Christmas celebrated in the Vatican?

2025-12-24 08:45:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Christmas in the Vatican has been celebrated in grand style for at least half a millennium.

Christmas this year will be celebrated by Pope Leo XIV, but the Christmas traditions beloved by visitors and believers at the center of the Catholic Church remain the same.

When do the celebrations start?

For Catholics, the season of Advent and the anticipation of the birth of Christ began this year on November 30, with the first Advent. However, celebrations in the Vatican always begin with the official lighting of the Christmas tree and the unveiling of the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square, which this time took place on December 15.

Where does the Christmas tree come from?

Every year, a Catholic community donates a Christmas tree to the Vatican, which is considered a special honor. This time, a fir from the province of Bolzano in South Tyrol was chosen, which is 27 meters high and weighs about eight tons.

Bishop Ivo Muser of Bolzano-Bressanone said in an interview on the Vatican City website: "I want the adoration for existence to be revived by our tree and to encourage reflection." He called on people to be mindful, respectful and willing to have "sustainable and simple lifestyles." Will this message be successful with the tree's rich decorations, with the play of lights that constantly change around it?

The tree is coming from Italy for the fifth year in a row. Four trees have come from Germany so far; in 2028 it will be Germany's turn again. A tree from Deggendorf in Lower Bavaria will be sent to the Vatican.

Christmas in the Vatican has been celebrated in grand style for at least half a millennium, but the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square was installed in 1982 during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II.

Which Christmas crib is coming to the Vatican?

The nativity scene comes from the diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno in the southern Italian province of Salerno in Campania. The life-size nativity scene features elements typical of the region around Nocera. Making the announcement, Bishop Giuseppe Giudice said it was "a wonderful opportunity for the evangelization and renewal of the entire region."

At the same time, this year, under the left columns of St. Peter's Square, the exhibition "100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican" can be seen for the eighth time. There, you can see 132 nativity scenes created by artists from 23 countries. This year's exhibition is part of the cultural program "Giubileo è Cultura" (anniversary is culture) and, according to "Vatican News", aims to "express gratitude for the Holy Year we have just experienced".

What happens on Christmas Eve?

Pope Leo XIV will lead the solemn midnight mass at 10 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica. Naturally, the cathedral will be full, so it opens its doors at 7 p.m. Tickets are required for entry, but they are free and usually sell out months in advance.

What comes next?

Visitors and the faithful do not need tickets on Christmas Day, when the Pope gives the solemn blessing "Urbi et Orbi" - "to the city and the world". Leo XIV will speak from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, followed by tens of thousands of faithful in the square. His speech begins at 12:00. Here too, the earlier the better, especially in this Holy Year, proclaimed by Pope Francis, who died in April. The Holy Year continues until the end of the Christmas season

On New Year's Day at 5:00 PM, the Pope will hold the evening service in St. Peter's Basilica, where the "Te Deum" is sung in thanksgiving for the past year.

When do the celebrations end?

With the "Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany" led by Leo XIV on January 6 at 9:30 a.m. The Holy Year also ends./ DW