Vatican's giant Christmas tree arrives; Pope to illuminate mountainside above town

December 06, 2011

Pope Benedict XVI will illuminate the “world’s largest Christmas tree”—actually a series of lights strung across a mountain—on December 7.

During a video conference that will be presented on Vatican television, the Pontiff will touch a button on a Sony Tablet, and thus light nearly 1,000 lights on Mount Ingino, outside the Italian town of Gubbio. The lights, formed into the shape of a traditional Christmas tree, cover a space of about 32 acres on the mountainside overlooking the town.

Meanwhile in Rome, workers with the 100-foot Christmas tree that will stand in St. Peter’s Square. That tree will be illuminated on December 16.

 

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Further information:

• Benedict XVI to Light the World's Biggest Christmas Tree (VIS)
• Christmas tree arrives in Vatican City (Demotix)
• Pope will illuminate world's largest 'Christmas tree'--by iPad (CWN, 11/14)