Controversy over Christmas tree for the Vatican despite protests

northern italy - A Christmas tree was cut down in Northern Italy to decorate St. Peter's Square in the Vatican for the holidays, sparking protests from environmental activists.

In Northern Italy, a fir tree was cut down on Tuesday to decorate St. Peter's Square in the Vatican for the Christmas season, despite protests from environmental activists and an online petition with tens of thousands of signatures.

The protesters also wrote a letter to Pope Francis, who they believe regrets the damage of climate change but continues the tradition year after year. The Vatican responded that the 29-meter-high tree was not cut down in vain. "The choice of this fir was determined not only by an aesthetic, but also by an ecologically responsible value," it said in a statement. The tree from the forest in Ledro had to be cut down anyway for proper forest management, the Vatican said.

On Friday, protesters held a torchlight procession for the tree. The Christmas tree and nativity scene are among the main attractions at St. Peter's Square. The lights of the decorated tree, traditionally donated, will be lit on December 7th. The Vatican has sourced Christmas trees from Italy for the past four years. For 2028, a tree from Southern Germany has been chosen to stand in the square.