Christmas Comes to Life in Vatican City Christmas has arrived at the Vatican, transforming Vatican City into a place of light, beauty, and reflection as pilgrims and tourists gather to experience the season\u2019s traditions. St. Peter\u2019s Square has been filled with festive symbols, including a life-size Nativity Scene, an 80-foot-tall Christmas tree, and the return of the international exhibition \u201c100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican.\u201d Now in its eighth edition, the exhibition features 132 Nativity scenes from 23 countries, displayed beneath the left-hand colonnade of Bernini as part of the cultural initiative \u201cJubilee is Culture.\u201d Visitors from around the world paused to admire the craftsmanship on display. Kim Alicandro, a tourist from Boston, said she was especially moved by the variety of expressions of the Nativity. \u201cI think it’s beautiful. When I heard about it, the 100 nativity scenes, I was most excited to come here and go one by one and see the different countries and the different artisans who made these nativity scenes,\u201d she said. Nearby, Terry Weasey, visiting from Orlando, shared his sense of surprise at encountering the exhibition. \u201cI’m amazed. It was a surprise. We didn’t know that we were going to come upon it. So it’s been very interesting just to see the talent,\u201d he said. A Nativity Scene of Catechesis and Communion At the heart of the square stands this year\u2019s central Nativity Scene, donated by the Italian Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno. The scene honors Saint Alphonsus Maria de\u2019 Liguori, known throughout Italy for composing the beloved Christmas carol \u201cTu scendi dalle stelle\u201d\u2014\u201cFrom starry skies descending.\u201d Reflecting on the spiritual meaning of the display, Bishop Giuseppe Guidice of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno emphasized the Nativity\u2019s catechetical role. \u201cThe Nativity scene is a beautiful page of catechesis, a page also of ecclesiology \u2014 that is, where each person is in his or her proper place, but the center is the Lord,\u201d the bishop said. For those involved in creating the Nativity, this year\u2019s installation carries particular emotional weight. Alfonso Maria Pagliuca, head of Seria Pubblicit\u00e0, noted its historic significance. \u201cThe emotions one feels, the sentiment experienced before a Nativity scene during the 2025 Jubilee Year, the first Nativity scene of our new Holy Father, Leo, the emotions are truly many,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat I can certainly say is that we have been active for 43 years, and this is the most important work we have ever carried out to date, and it will probably remain so forever.” Pope Leo XIV: Signs of Faith and Hope Ahead of the official inauguration of the Nativity Scene and Christmas tree, Pope Leo XIV met with the donors inside the Paul IV Audience Hall, which also houses a Nativity Scene from Costa Rica highlighting a pro-life message. During the encounter, the Holy Father stressed that these Christmas symbols point beyond themselves. \u201cDear brothers and sisters, the Nativity scene and the Tree are signs of faith and hope; as we contemplate them in our homes, in parishes and squares, we ask the Lord to renew in us the gift of peace and fraternity,\u201d the Pope said. The inauguration took place on December 15, as locals and tourists gathered in St. Peter\u2019s Square awaiting the lighting of the tree. Expressing her anticipation, Lina said, \u201cWell, of course I’m excited. And this year is going to be special because I’m here and just waiting for the lights to come out. It’s beautiful.\u201d Sharn, watching the light fade over the square, added, \u201cVery pretty, amazing with the light going down so we\u2019re really excited for the lights to turn on. Aren\u2019t we?\u201d For Lily, the evening surpassed all expectations. \u201cIt totally exceeded my expectations, it\u2019s lively, really pretty, Christmas lights everywhere, I love it!\u201d she said. An 80-foot fir tree, sourced from the Val d\u2019Ultimo area in the province of Bolzano in northern Italy, now stands at the center of St. Peter\u2019s Square. The tradition of placing a Christmas tree in the Vatican began in 1982 with Saint John Paul II, symbolizing unity between the Vatican and different European regions. As Advent draws to a close, the Vatican\u2014together with the universal Church\u2014prepares to celebrate Christmas, inviting the faithful and visitors alike to keep their hearts open to welcome the birth of Jesus. Adapted by Jacob Stein. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Camera by Alberto Basile, Andrea Gallo; Video edited by Ilaria Chimenti Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Zofia Czubak Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Christ Pratt to release documentary on tomb of St. Peter Opus Dei celebrates a congress in Rome to adapt to Pope Francis’ reforms Vatican secretary of state warns of Europe\u2019s low birth rates, \u2018demographic winter\u2019 Pope Francis highlights \u2018little greatness\u2019 of St. Th\u00e9r\u00e8se of Lisieux in apostolic letter Pope Francis’ Historic Southeast Asia Tour: Strengthening Faith and Interfaith Relations Across Four Nations Pope Francis, Former President Clinton to Have \u2018Special Conversation\u2019 at Foundation Meeting<\/p>\n