At Christmas 2022, the unveiling of the crib and the lighting of the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square will take place in the afternoon of 3 December. Due to bad weather, the ceremony will be held in the Paul VI Hall. Cardinal Behes invited all those present to bring the good news of the birth of the Savior to all parts of the world. The manger and Christmas tree will be on display until the day of the Baptism, January 8 next year.
(Vatican News Network)Due to bad weather, the inauguration of the crib and the lighting of the Christmas tree, originally scheduled for the afternoon of 3 December in St. Peter’s Square, were moved to the Pope Paul VI Hall. The ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzag, President of the Government of Vatican City State, and by Sister Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General. The delegations from Sutrio and Rossello took part in the lighting ceremony and presented the nativity scene and the Christmas tree.
The lighting ceremony began with the Vatican national anthem played by the Vatican Gendarmerie, and then Cardinal Behes greeted those present at the ceremony. He pointed out that this year’s manger and Christmas tree come from two geographically distant areas, but the similarity is that both areas are located in the mountains. Both groups have maintained the tradition of real people playing the Annunciation, keeping the charm and deep meaning of Christmas. The Cardinal invited all those present to bring the good news of the birth of the Savior to all parts of the world.
The nativity scene and the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square, as well as the nativity scene donated by Guatemala and placed in the Paul VI Hall will be on display until the end of the Christmas period on January 8, 2023, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
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