Press Release of Vatican City State Governorate – Christmas 2025

Vatican City, 3 October 2025

Lagundo and Ultimo, diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno and Costa Rica: these are the places where the tree, and the nativity scenes for Saint Peter's Square and for the Paul VI Hall will come from for Christmas 2025.

The 27-metre-high spruce tree that will be erected in Saint Peter’s Square will come from the autonomous province of Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige. It is offered in collaboration between the municipalities of Lagundo and Ultimo. It comes from the 40-kilometre-long Alpine valley of Ultimo, located in the western part of South Tyrol, which ends in Lana.

The Nativity scene which will be displayed in Saint Peter’s Square will come from the province of Salerno, in Campania, from the diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno. It is a representation that incorporates typical elements of the Nocera area: in particular, the Early Christian Baptistery of Nocera Superiore, together with the Helvius fountain located in Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino and a typical courtyard house from the Agro Nocerino area.

The work represents the Mystery of the Incarnation, integrating religious symbols, elements of the territory and figures exemplary of local spirituality. In particular, at ground level, there is a depiction of a shepherd with the features of the Servant of God Don Enrico Smaldone, together with two children, who is about to climb a ladder that indicates Christ as the sole centre of the educational path.

On one side, we see a house reminiscent of the typical courtyard style of local dwellings, with a large grey Nocera tuff doorway leading to a spacious room. There is a painting of the Virgin of the Three Crowns of Sarno, whose image was created by the master flower artists of the Infiorata di Casatori. In the centre is Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori, seated at the harpsichord and contemplating the mystery of the Incarnation, singing “Tu scendi dalle stelle” accompanied by two children.

In the same interior, there is a pendulum clock that recalls how Saint Alphonsus repeated a Hail Mary at every stroke of the hour.

On the upper floor, there is a section of the Early Christian Baptistery of Nocera Superiore, with 12 columns supporting what remains of the dome. A woman on the balcony looks on in wonder at what is happening.

In the centre there is the main scene with Jesus, Mary and Joseph, with the ox and the donkey, the Three Magi worshipping the Child and a shepherdess offering the riches of the diocese (vegetables, artichokes, walnuts, Nocera spring onions, San Marzano tomatoes and Corbarino tomatoes). Two bagpipers are entrusted with the task of accompanying the scene with music. 

There are also other characters, such as a shepherd with the features of the Servant of God Alfonso Russo, symbolising the value of suffering and voluntary work.

In the background, a fisherman with a large anchor points to the open Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, symbolising the Jubilee. On the left side of the scene, an angel announces the Incarnation of the Word to a sleeping shepherd and his assistant. A staircase with a wrought iron gate symbolises the passage from the old life to the new life in Christ.

The entire scene is dominated by a large, bright comet with a tail in the shape of an anchor. The Nativity scene is completed by Neapolitan-style shepherds, inspired by the school of the 18th century.

The entire scene is dominated by a large, bright comet with a tail in the form of an anchor. The Nativity is completed with the figures of shepherds in Neapolitan style, inspired by the school of the eighteenth century.

“Nacimiento Gaudium” is the theme chosen by Costa Rica for the Nativity scene in the Paul VI Hall. Created by Costa Rican artist Paula Sáenz Soto, this nativity scene aims not only to highlight the message of peace at Christmas, but also to launch an appeal to the world to protect life from the moment of conception. 

In addition to the fir tree chosen for Saint Peter’s Square, other smaller trees, also from Lagundo and Ultimo, will be brought to the Vatican. These decorated trees will be displayed in the offices and buildings of the Holy See and the Vatican City State.