Press Communique of the Governorate of Vatican City State CHRISTMAS 2023

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga and Sr. Raffaella Petrini, respectively President and Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, will inaugurate the Nativity display and switch on the lights of the Christmas tree in Saint Peter’s Square. The ceremony will take place on Saturday 9 December at 17.00.

The official delegations of the places of origin of the Nativity display and the tree will be present, from the Valle Santa Reatina in the diocese of Rieti and Macra in the diocese of Saluzzo respectively. In particular, the event will involve the participation, for the artistic Nativity display, Bishop Vito Piccinonna, the curator of the “Valley of the first Nativity and the Nativity display in the Paul VI Hall, Dr, Enrico Bressan, and the diocesan band and choir of the “Church of Rieti”. For the Christmas tree, Bishop Cristiano Bodo of Saluzzo, the President of the Piedmont Regino, Dr. Alberto Cirio, the mayor of Macra, Valerio Carsetti, and the “La Reis” choir of San Damiano Macra will participate.

On the same day, in the morning, the delegations will be received in audience by Pope Francis for the official presentation of the gifts.

The Nativity display and the tree in Saint Peter’s Square will remain on display until the conclusion of Christmas Time, which coincides with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Sunday 7 January 2024.

Vatican City, 5 December 2023