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Vatican presents 2017 Christmas Nativity scene

December 8, 2017

Christmas begins in Rome with the inauguration of a giant Christmas tree and a larger-than-life Nativity scene in St Peter's Square, as part of the Vatican's seasonal traditions.

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Weihnachten im Vatikan
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Medichini

The Nativity scene, featuring 20 terracotta figures of a height of up to two metres and occupying an 80-square-metre area, was made by Neapolitan craftsmen and was donated by a Benedectine sanctuary some 70 kilometres east of Naples.

Vatikanstadt - Weihnachten im Vatikan
Image: picture-alliance/Pacific Press/G. Ciccia

The tree and the Nativity scene will remain on display until January 7. The 28-metre high spruce, featuring baubles designed by children from cancer hospitals and from earthquake-stricken central Italy, comes from the northern Polish region of Mazury, and arrived at the Vatican two weeks ago after a 2,000-kilometre journey.

is/ch (dpa)