Residents of the Italian city of Trentino are protesting against the announcement of cutting down a nearly 200-year-old tree that should be placed in St. Peter's Square of the Vatican as a gift to Pope Francis. On the night from Friday to Saturday in the forest in Valle di Ledro they kept vigil by the tree. So far, 50,000 people have appealed to the Pope to save the tree.
For the first time in the 30-year tradition of putting up a Christmas tree in the Vatican, there has been such a public protest against the plan to send it up. Local media reports that around five thousand residents of the Lake Garda area came to the tree at night with lights and hugged it, symbolically protesting against the plan to cut it down.
The Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican in 2023 Stefano Roncini / IPA / PAP
READ ALSO: They want to cut down a 200-year-old tree and put it in Peter Square. Residents protest
Signature of the petition
The delivery of the nearly 30-meter Christmas tree to Rome was announced at the end of November. It is planned to hold the lighting ceremony in Peter's Square on December 7.
“This is a habit that must be abandoned. That is why we appeal to His Holiness to release our Green Giant,” emphasized the residents of Valle di Ledro in their appeal to the Pope. More than 50,000 people signed it.
One of the participants of the Christmas tree party said: We ask the Pope not to let the tree be cut down and to come to our valley and see its beauty.
Proposal for the Vatican
Residents are also proposing that the Vatican build an “artistic” Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square, made from fallen trees due to the strong winds and storms.
– Such a message will really be a symbol of change. The Pope's words are heard all over the world, the protesters said.
In this context, they also recalled Francis' great commitment to the protection of the environment and his numerous appeals for the care of “our common home”, as he calls it.
A plan to send a Christmas tree to the Vatican is being defended by Ledro mayor Renato Girardi. He emphasized that cutting down trees is a part of the local economy. In his opinion, the protesters are “ruining the holiday from one tree”.
Main photo credit: Stefano Roncini / IPA / PAP
