Press Release – Holy Week 2024

Holy Week, the fundamental moment of the entire liturgical Year, will be enlivened this year, in Saint Peter's Square and the Vatican Basilica, by a backdrop of colourful flowers and plants not only from Italy, but also from Holland. The decorations and their arrangement will be taken care of by the workers of the Garden and Environment Service of the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services of the Governorate of Vatican City State in cooperation with those who have offered plants and flowers.

In particular, for Palm Sunday, 24 March, olive branches will be distributed, provided by the National Cities of Oil Association, Sardinia Region, coordinated by Dr. Antonio Balenzano, national director of the Association.

The distribution of some “phoenix palms”, donated by the Neocatechumenal Way, will be overseen by Mr. Marco Migliorelli of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

The famous woven palm trees, provided by the one-man business of Errico Grazia of Sanremo, will also be present.

The wholesale floricultural company Flora Olanda of Rome will lend the large olive trees that will be placed near the statues of Saints Peter and Paul at the foot of the parvis and the Obelisk.

The floral decoration of Saint Peter's Square will be carried out entirely by the workers of the Garden and Environment Service.

During the Easter Vigil, floral decorations will be created in the Vatican Basilica, also thanks to the contribution of floristry professors from the Naklo biotechnology centre in Slovenia.

In the light and joy of the Risen Christ, on the solemnity of Easter, Sunday 31 March, Saint Peter's Square will be an immense multi-coloured garden, with thousands of flowers and plants arriving from Holland. The decorations will be created thanks to the generous contribution of Dutch florists in collaboration with the workers of the Garden and Environment Service.

From the Vatican, 22 March 2024