Vatican Unveils This Year’s Christmas Tree With Focus on Stewardship

The arrival of the annual Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square has once again drawn global attention to the Vatican’s longstanding seasonal tradition, which blends cultural symbolism with an increasingly pronounced environmental message. This year’s red fir, standing at a height of twenty five meters, comes from the Val d’Ultimo area of Bolzano in northern Italy. Selected by the region’s forest guard service after an extensive evaluation, the tree represents part of a managed ecological cycle in an area known for its lakes, mountains and dense forests. The municipalities of Lagundo and Val d’Ultimo donated the tree as an expression of regional identity and shared commitment to sustainable land use. In addition to the central tree in the square, forty smaller trees will be placed in various Vatican buildings and offices, reflecting an internal tradition that has grown over decades. Each selection is made with attention to the forest’s long term health rather than ornamental preference, integrating environmental policies into one of the most visible holiday displays in the world.

Bishop Ivo Muser of Bolzano Bressanone explained that the felling of the tree should not be interpreted as a symbolic loss, but instead as the result of an informed forestry system designed to maintain balance within wooded areas that naturally regenerate. The practice of removing mature trees is paired with consistent reforestation in South Tyrol, where the commitment to sustainability is embedded into regional planning. He described the approach as an established tool of stewardship that strengthens ecological resilience by ensuring new growth, preventing overcrowding and supporting younger trees through structured maintenance. After the Christmas season ends, the fir will continue its functional role through the extraction of essential oils by an Austrian company, with remaining wood donated to a charitable organization that will repurpose the material. This model reflects a broader shift within European forestry and aligns with the Vatican’s own efforts to promote responsible environmental action, especially within traditions that draw significant international visibility.

The custom of offering a Christmas tree to the Vatican began in 1982 when Pope John Paul II received a tree from a Polish farmer, a gesture that evolved into an annual contribution from a different European region. The ceremony surrounding the placement of the tree has since become an important cultural event, connecting local communities to the global Catholic audience that gathers in St. Peter’s Square throughout the season. As thousands of visitors arrive to witness the display, the presence of the tree stands not only as a festive symbol but also as a reminder of the broader themes of ecological care promoted by the Church in recent years. Its origin, preparation and post seasonal use illustrate how traditional celebrations can incorporate meaningful environmental responsibility while preserving the spirit of the occasion.