Inaugurated nativity scene and Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square
The majestic Christmas tree was illuminated and the the artistic Nativity scene was unveiled to the sound of traditional music and carols. The moment has arrived when the faithful, pilgrims and visitors can admire the Christmas installations in St. Peter’s Square.
In a public ceremony on Monday evening, December 15, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State and Archbishop Emilio Nappa, Secretary General, inaugurated the Nativity scene and switched on the lights of the Christmas tree. This year, the Nativity scene comes from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno, while the 25-metre-tall red fir tree comes from Lagundo and Ultimo, in the Province of Bolzano.
The ceremony began with the performance of the Pontifical Anthem by the Band of the Gendarmerie Corps, followed by opening remarks by Sr. Raffaella Petrini. The Choir of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno then sang the traditional Quanno Nascette Ninno by Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori, followed by greetings from Bishop Giuseppe Giudice and an address by the curator of the Nativity scene, architect Angelo Santitoro.
Subsequently, the band and choir of the Diocese of Bolzano–Bressanone introduced the greeting of Bishop Ivo Muser. This was followed by an address from Rosmarie Pamer, Vice President of the Province of Bolzano. Finally, Archbishop Emilio Nappa, Secretary General, after his address, gave the signal for the unveiling of the Nativity scene and the lighting of the Christmas tree, while the Choir of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno sang Tu scendi dalle stelle by Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori.
The Band of the Gendarmerie Corps then performed White Christmas, after which the band and choir of the Diocese of Bolzano–Bressanone alternated with the choir of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno in performing and singing Christmas melodies. Among those present were Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Secretary General; engineer Salvatore Farina, Director of Infrastructure and Services; the mayors of Lagundo and Ultimo; the mayors of the municipalities of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno.
Earlier in the morning, in the Paul VI Audience Hall, the delegations of donors were received by Pope Leo XIV, who inaugurated Nacimiento Gaudium. This is a representation of the Nativity intended to recall the lives saved from abortion thanks to prayer and the support provided by Catholic organizations to many mothers in difficulty. On that occasion, the First Lady of the Republic of Costa Rica was present, together with the President’s daughter and a delegation from the Embassy of Costa Rica to the Holy See.
The next appointment is set for Christmas 2026, with new donors, as announced by Sr. Petrini. These will be, respectively, for the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square, the Italian Association Amici del Presepe, Atessa branch, in the Province of Chieti; for the Christmas tree, the Municipality of Terranova di Pollino, in the Province of Potenza, and for the Nativity scene in the Paul VI Audience Hall, the Fondazione Carnevale di Viareggio, in the Province of Lucca.
Address of the President
I extend a cordial greeting to Monsignor Giuseppe Giudice and Monsignor Ivo Muser, Bishops respectively of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno and Bolzano–Bressanone;
to the authorities present; to the leaders of the committees promoting this initiative; to the representatives of the institutions and of the municipalities of Lagundo and Ultimo and of the Dioceses of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno and Bolzano–Bressanone.
I also greet Archbishop Emilio Nappa and Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Secretaries General of the Governorate, and I warmly welcome the many pilgrims and visitors who have come from all parts of the world.
It is with deep joy and gratitude that we gather once again this year in St. Peter’s Square for the lighting of the Christmas tree and the inauguration of the Nativity scene—visible signs of the hope and light that the Lord continues to bestow upon humanity.
The Nativity scene, designed and created by the skilled volunteers of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno, presents the typical landscape of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese and recalls the wonder of Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori who, in contemplating the mystery of the Incarnation, composed the famous hymn Tu scendi dalle stelle. There is a deep bond between the Nocerino-Sarnese community and this saintly Doctor of the Church, since his mortal remains rest in the town of Pagani, within the territory of the Diocese.
So dear to the Christian tradition, the Nativity scene accompanies us on our journey toward Christmas, presenting to the men and women of our time what happened more than two thousand years ago in Bethlehem: the birth of the Savior. The mystery of God who becomes man, who becomes a Child, who enters human history with the disarming power of love.
This year’s inauguration takes on an even deeper meaning, since in about three weeks the Jubilee will conclude and a special anniversary will begin: the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, who in 1223, at Greccio, created the first representation of the Nativity.
If Saint Alphonsus de’ Liguori—who, before the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in the manger, deepened his faith and renewed his love for the Lord—and Saint Francis of Assisi—who wished to recreate the scene of the Savior’s birth by involving the inhabitants of Greccio—both bear witness to the world that true peace is a gift from God and not merely the result of human efforts, it is also true that we are all called to embody it in a concrete way of life, to choose it as a path and not only as a goal, as Pope Leo XIV invites us to do. [1]
Thus, the Nativity scene of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno that we are about to unveil this evening, like that of Greccio, does not simply seek to “recall” the birth of Jesus, but to make it come alive again for those who behold it, to awaken living wonder, to touch hearts, to manifest the tenderness of God—as Pope Francis said [2] —and to rekindle faith in life: life that conquers death, as expressed by the ever-green foliage of the splendid tree from Lagundo and the Val d’Ultimo.
Today, in this Square that embraces the world, the Nativity scene and the Christmas tree are not merely decorations, but signs of communion, calls to peace and to the care of creation, and invitations to universal fraternity, which Saint Francis placed at the center and which became the hallmark of his charism.
To the Poor Man of Assisi, Patron Saint of Italy and model of evangelical simplicity, we entrust our personal and communal journey. To Saint Alphonsus we ask the grace to rediscover the beauty of the Gospel lived actively in charity, in listening to the least, and in respect for every creature.
I sincerely thank the communities that donated the tree and created this year’s Nativity scene: their gesture is a gift to the Church and a sign of that collaboration among peoples and cultures which builds true peace. I also thank all the collaborators of the Governorate, the Gendarmerie Band, and the members of the Dicastery for Communication who made this event possible.
May the light we switch on today not be merely a tradition to contemplate, but a call to allow ourselves to be illuminated by Christ, the Light of the world, so that we in turn may become bearers of that light in our own environments.
Before concluding, I am pleased to announce the donors for next Christmas 2026: the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square will be created by the Italian Association Amici del Presepe, Atessa branch, in the Province of Chieti; the Christmas tree for St. Peter’s Square will be donated by the Municipality of Terranova di Pollino, in the Province of Potenza; and the Nativity scene in the Paul VI Audience Hall will be set up by the Fondazione Carnevale di Viareggio, in the Province of Lucca.
I thank the future donors in advance. I wish you all a fruitful continuation of the Advent journey and a Merry Christmas, in the peace of the Lord.
Address of the Secretary General Msgr. Emilio Nappa:
I extend a cordial greeting to His Excellency Monsignor Giuseppe Giudice, Bishop of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno;
to His Excellency Monsignor Ivo Muser, Bishop of Bolzano–Bressanone;
to the Excellencies present;
to the representatives of the municipalities of Lagundo and Ultimo and of the Dioceses of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno and Bolzano–Bressanone, in particular the Vice President of the Province of Bolzano, the Mayor of Ultimo, and the thirteen mayors of the municipalities of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno.
I greet the representatives of the committees promoting the initiative, including architect Angelo Santitoro, curator of the Nativity project;
the reverend priests, women and men religious;
the distinguished civil and religious authorities;
and all the dear friends present here.
It is with genuine joy that we experience this celebratory moment, in which two significant expressions of the Christmas heritage we share converge.
Today we welcome the Nativity scene from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno, the fruit of refined craftsmanship of the Campania region, and a testimony to our desire as believers to welcome God every day into the cradle of our lives. Indeed, Pope Leo XIV has said: “The mystery of the Incarnation has been represented for generations of Christians using the features of their own culture and the landscapes of their own land.”
I like to view this year’s Nativity scene as a square where eternity encounters everyday history and is transformed into convivial and constant relationships, not occasional or conflictual ones.
We are also pleased to present the lighting of the Christmas tree on the eve of the Novena in preparation for Holy Christmas. This tree, from the Val d’Ultimo—an area that has long been committed to safeguarding its natural environment and cultural heritage—is a gift from the municipalities of Lagundo and Ultimo. The colors of its lights are predominantly red, evoking the fire of love, warmth and the Holy Spirit; green, symbolizing the harmony of creation, which we are all called to restore and rediscover with hope; blue, recalling the eternal and cosmic longing for peace that arises from our belonging to humanity destined for life with God; and finally white, which evokes the light that reaches everyone daily, illuminating the paths of each person—the light of the Child Jesus born for us.
Before concluding, allow me to express my sincere thanks to the donors of the Nativity scene and the tree, especially the entire Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno, with its thirteen municipalities represented here by their respective mayors; the diocesan choir; the project curators; and the artists and craftsmen who created the Nativity scene.
I also thank the entire Diocese of Bolzano–Bressanone, with its band, choir, and all the delegations present.
I thank the President of the Governorate, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, and the Secretary General, Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi; my colleagues of the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See; and all the collaborators of the Governorate of Vatican City State for their invaluable work and contribution—especially the Event Coordination Office, the Legal Office, the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services led by engineer Salvatore Farina, the team of electricians, the Construction office, the Garden Service, the Floreria, and all the workers who carried out the installation and preparations for this evening. I again thank the members and the Band of the Gendarmerie Corps and the Fire Brigade for their service in this evening of sharing and hope.
And so, let us unveil the Nativity scene and light the tree, so that everywhere, in every heart and in every mind, the true light may shine forth—the light that is hope of sharing and of peace: Christ, the Savior of the world.
[1] Leo XIV, Apostolic Journey to Lebanon: Farewell Ceremony, December 2, 2025.
[2] Francis, Apostolic Letter Admirabile signum, no. 3.
