News

Interview with Most Reverend Monsignor Ivo Muser, Bishop of Bolzano-Bressanone

The Christmas Tree as “Ambassador” of the Territory

An “ambassador” of its homeland, of its culture and of the faith of the people of Lagundo and the Val d’Ultimo—and of the entire Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. This is what the Christmas tree, the spruce that this year is being gifted to Pope Leo XIV to be displayed in St. Peter’s Square, represents. It is a tradition that has been renewed for years, and the felling of the tree is not an act of offense toward nature, but rather as careful forest management where the selective removal of a tree ensures the health and growth of the forest. In this interview with [www.vaticanstate.va](http://www.vaticanstate.va), Bishop Ivo Muser of Bolzano-Bressanone reflects on its meaning.

Azerbaijan donated a Pomegranate Tree in the Vatican Gardens

A Sign of Friendship 

As a symbolic gesture of friendship between the Vatican City State and the Republic of Azerbaijan, a pomegranate tree was planted in the Vatican Gardens. The occasion was the visit of H.E. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice-President of Azerbaijan.

The Evolution of the Annona Vatican Supermarket

In the beginning, it was called “Annona e Grascia”, and it functioned as a tribunal within the papal administration, responsible for overseeing matters related to food supplies.
On January 22, 1588, Pope Sixtus V, through the Bull Immensa Aeterni Dei, established fifteen permanent Congregations—some newly created, others confirmed or reformed. One of these was the Congregation for the Abundance of the Papal States (Pro ubertate annonae Status Ecclesiastici). It consisted of five Cardinals and was tasked with ensuring the provisioning of foodstuffs.