With Leo 30, the first Sunday of Advent. In the Vatican, however, the celebrations officially begin with the lighting of the Christmas tree and the unveiling of the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square, which this year took place on December 15.

Which Christmas tree is on display?

Each year, a different Catholic community donates the Christmas tree to the Vatican, a gesture considered a great honor. This year it is a red spruce from the province of Bolzano in South Tyrol: it is 27 meters tall and weighs around eight tons.

Bishop Ivo Muser, of the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone, said in an interview published on the Vatican State website: “I hope that our Christmas tree will also awaken our wonder at creation and invite us to reflect.”

He also called on people to be mindful, respectful, and willing. to “adopt sustainable and simple lifestyles.” It remains to be seen whether the opulent decorations and the grand display of lights will encourage it.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the tree has come from Italy. Four trees have come from Germany so far; in 2028 it will be their turn again, when one from Deggendorf, in Lower Bavaria, is expected to be installed in St. Peter's Square.

Christmas has been celebrated solemnly in the Vatican for at least half a millennium, but the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square has only existed since 1982, during the pontificate of John Paul II.

There is, in fact, a live stream that allows you to see St. Peter's Square in real time.

What Nativity scene can be seen?

The scene of the birth of Jesus comes from the diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, in the province of Salerno, in the Campania region of southern Italy. The nativity scene, with life-size figures,incorporates elements characteristic of the Nocera area. Bishop Giuseppe Giudice noted at its unveiling that it represents “a great opportunity for evangelization and the renewal of the whole Earth.”

Meanwhile, the exhibition “100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican” is being presented for the eighth time under the left colonnades of St. Peter's Square. It brings together 132 nativity scenes created by artists from 23 countries. This year's exhibition is part of the cultural program “Giubileo e Cultura” (“The Jubilee is Culture”) and, according to Vatican News, also seeks to “express gratitude for the Holy Year recently celebrated.”

What happens on Christmas Eve?

Pope Leo XIV will preside over the solemn midnight Mass at 10:00 pm in St. Peter's Basilica. As the basilica fills to capacity, the doors will open as early as 7:00 PM. Tickets are required and are free, but they usually sell out months in advance.

How do the celebrations continue?

No tickets are needed on December 25, when the Pope will impart the solemn “Urbi et Orbi” blessing – “to the city and the world” – from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Leo XIV will address tens of thousands of faithful gathered in and around St. Peter's Square. The event begins at 12:00 PM; Here too, the recommendation to arrive early applies, especially in this Holy Year, summoned by Pope Francis, who died in April, and which extends until the end of the Christmas season.

On the eve of the New Year, at 5:00 pm, the Pope will celebrate Vespers in St. Peter's Basilica with the singing of the Te Deum, in thanksgiving for the year that is ending.

When do the celebrations conclude?

With the “Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord,” presided over by Leo XIV on January 6 at 9:30 am The Holy Year also concludes that day.

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