Vatican's "Green Giant" sparks debate amid ecology protests
A Christmas tree will once again be erected at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, following the tradition started by St. John Paul II. The attempt to save the 200-year-old "Green Giant" from the Ledro Valley in Italy was unsuccessful. The Vatican explains that the tree was chosen for ecological reasons, emphasizing that it would have been cut down anyway.
3:32 PM EST, November 20, 2024
The Christmas tree tradition in the Vatican began in 1982 during the pontificate of St. John Paul II. Since then, each year, a fir or spruce tree originating either from a region of Italy or from another European country has been donated to the Vatican.
This year, it was decided that a fir tree, measuring 95 feet tall from the Ledro Valley in Italy, will stand at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. The 200-year-old tree was quickly dubbed the "Green Giant" by locals.
"Anachronistic tradition"
Several environmental associations in Trentino attempted to thwart this plan. They wrote an open letter to Pope Francis, urging him to end what they described as an "anachronistic tradition" and a "useless sacrifice." More than 50,000 people signed the letter.
The letter reminded the pope, who often criticizes those who deny the climate crisis, that some of his encyclicals focus on environmental protection.
"It is inconsistent to talk about fighting climate change and then uphold traditions that require cutting down such an ancient and symbolic tree," the letter reads.
Protests without effect
Over the weekend, residents of the Ledro Valley held a vigil at the fir tree designated for cutting.
Neither the protests nor the petition from environmental associations and local residents achieved the desired result. The fir tree, weighing over 11,000 pounds, was cut down on Monday, without protests accompanying it, and will soon be transported to Rome.
Vatican governor: The tree would have been cut down anyway
The Vatican City State Governorate announced on Tuesday that the tree's lights will be lit during a ceremony on December 7th.
The statement emphasized that the choice of this specimen was dictated not only by aesthetic qualities but also by being "responsible from an ecological point of view."
The Vatican explained that "cutting down the tree will ensure the natural renewal of the forest stands for the coming decades." It was noted that the forests from this territory are cultivated "in accordance with the strictest environmental, social, and economic standards."
The Vatican assured that the fir comes from areas designated for logging to ensure the "proper cultivation of the forest." As noted by the governor, this means that the tree would have been cut down anyway.
Source: PAP, theguardian.com
