Press release of the governorate of the Vatican City State - Christmas 2025

For Christmas 2025 the Nativity scene for St. Peter’s Square, the one for the Paul VI Hall, and the monumental evergreen tree will come from the towns of Lagundo and Ultimo, from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno and from the nation of Costa Rica.

From the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige, comes the approximately 27-meter-tall Norway spruce that will be erected in St. Peter’s Square. It is being donated jointly by the municipalities of Lagundo and Ultimo. The tree originates from the Ultimo Valley, a 40-kilometer-long Alpine valley located in western South Tyrol, ending in the town of Lana.

In the Province of Salerno, in Campania, from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, comes the Nativity scene that will also be displayed in St. Peter’s Square. This representation incorporates elements typical of the Nocera area. In particular, the Paleochristian Baptistery of Nocera Superiore, the Helvius fountain located in Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino and a traditional courtyard house of the Agro Nocerino region.

The work depicts the Mystery of the Incarnation, integrating religious symbols, local elements and exemplary figures of local spirituality. On the ground floor, a shepherd with the features of the Servant of God Don Enrico Smaldone is portrayed with two children, as he begins to climb a staircase that points to Christ as the sole center of the educational journey.

On one side, a house recalls the typical courtyards of local dwellings with a large gray tuff portal from Nocera giving access to a spacious room. Inside is a painting of the Virgin of the Three Crowns of Sarno, whose image has been created by the master flower arrangers of the Casatori Flower Festival. At the center sits St. Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori at the harpsichord; while contemplating the mystery of the Incarnation, he intones “Tu scendi dale stelle” [You Come Down from the Stars], accompanied by two children. Also inside is a pendulum clock, recalling how St. Alphonsus, at every toll of the hour, would repeat a Hail Mary.

On the upper floor is a cross-section of the Paleochristian Baptistery of Nocera Superiore with 12 columns supporting the remaining portions of a dome. A woman at a balcony looks on in wonder at the unfolding event.

At the center of the display is the main Nativity scene with Jesus, Mary and Joseph, along with the ox and the donkey, the Magi adoring the Child and a shepherdess offering the riches of the diocesan territory (vegetables, artichokes, walnuts, “cipolotto nocerino - a local variety of spring onions from Nocera, San Marzano tomatoes and corbarino tomatoes). Two bagpipers provide musical accompaniment.

Other figures include a shepherd bearing the features of the Servant of God Alfonso Russo, symbolizing the value of suffering and volunteer service.

In the background, a fisherman holding a large anchor points to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, symbol of the Jubilee Year. On the left of the scene, an angel announces the Incarnation of the Word to a sleeping shepherd and his helper. A staircase with a wrought-iron gate symbolizes the passage from the old life to the new life in Christ.

The entire scene is dominated by a large luminous comet whose tail takes the shape of an anchor. The Nativity is completed by shepherd figures in the Neapolitan style, inspired by the 18th-century school .

“Nacimiento Gaudium” [The Joy of Birth] is the theme chosen by Costa Rica for the Nativity scene in the Paul VI Audience Hall. Created by Costa Rican artist Paula Sáenz Soto, this work seeks not only to convey the Christmas message of peace but also to issue a worldwide appeal for the protection of life from the moment of conception.

In addition to the large spruce chosen for St. Peter’s Square, smaller trees from Lagundo and Ultimo will also be brought to the Vatican. These trees will be decorated and displayed in various offices and buildings of the Holy See.