The tradition of a Christmas tree in the Vatican dates back to 1982. Since then, every winter on Square Saint Peter's Basilica is placed with a fir tree donated by a specific region of Italy or another European country. This time, as reported “The Guardian” it fell on a 200-year-old and 29-meter-high tree from the Ledro Valley located in the north of the country.
Activists are fighting for a 200-year-old tree “sacrifice”. It is to become the Vatican Christmas tree
Environmental activists from the Trento region have decided to write an open letter to Pope Francis regarding cutting down a tree. In the signed by 40 thousand people in the petition asked to stop “making a useless sacrifice” from an ancient fir tree. “You cannot talk about fighting climate change and then maintain traditions that require cutting down such an old and symbolic tree,” it was emphasized in the appeal quoted by “The Guardian.”
According to activists, cutting down a tree is a “purely consumer practice” through which plants are used “solely for advertising purposes and to take a few funny selfies.”
Mayor Ledro reacted to the activists' actions. “They spoil the celebration”
The authorities of the commune where the fir comes from did not expect any problems. “They are spoiling the celebration only for the plant. We are only donating the Christmas tree and I would like to emphasize that if it had not been donated, it would have gone to the sawmill,” he commented for the Italian newspapers “il Dolomiti” Mayor Ledro Renato Girardi.
– The fir that will be cut down is part of one of the plots that must be cleared so that the forest can be properly cared for – added the official. Girardi also revealed that the total Cost cutting down and transporting the tree to the Vatican is expected to reach 6,000. euro.