Vatican's Christmas tree to be recycled into toys
The largest-ever Christmas tree to be placed in St Peter's Square will have a new life after Christmas. Vatican officials said that the 33 metre high Norwegian spruce will be recycled to make toys for needy children and garden furniture such as benches for schools.
The tree was lit on Saturday afternoon, in a ceremony presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State, accompanied by Bishop Renato Boccardo, secretary general of the Governorate. Austrian government representatives and pilgrims also participated in the event, during which musicians and singers from Ziersdorf and Altenburg provided musical accompaniment.