VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican unveiled its nativity scene Monday and lit the 80-foot Christmas tree that towers above it in St. Peter’s Square as a band, choir and dancers dressed in traditional costumes from Italy’s northernmost province of South Tyrol performed.
The fir came from Italy’s German-speaking autonomous province on the Austrian border, while the life-size nativity scene was designed by the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno in the southern province of Campania, using architectural elements from the region.
The Deputy Governor of South Tyrol, Rosmarie Pamer, underlined that three language groups live together peacefully in South Tyrol: Italian, German and Ladino.
“This is not obvious, but it is a great gift and a great fortune,” she said.
The inauguration of the nativity scene and tree lighting are part of the Christmas events, which also include a Christmas Eve Mass and the traditional Urbi et Orbi, or “To the City and the World,” an address by the Pope on Christmas Day. These holidays conclude the jubilee year opened by the late Pope Francis.
Pope Leo
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