Vatican welcomes festive season with Christmas tree lighting

The Vatican Christmas tree is lit up during a ceremony in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican December 9, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican kicked off the holiday season on Friday with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in St. Peter's square.

Crowds gathered to watch the lighting of the giant spruce as the night fell over St. Peter's Square.

This year the tree is 25 meters (82 feet) high and has come from the Italian town of Scurelle, near the northern city of Trento.

The Vatican Christmas tree is lit up during a ceremony in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican December 9, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

The lighting coincided with the unveiling of the nativity crib, this year coming from Malta.

Pope Francis, who was not present at the brief lighting up ceremony, is preparing for a hectic time with midnight mass on December 24 and his December 25 Urbi et Orbi (message to the city and the world) address being two of his most important engagements.

 — Reuters