Residents of Val di Ledro in Italy’s Trentino region are rallying to prevent the felling of a 30-meter, 200-year-old fir tree, intended as the Vatican’s Christmas tree for the upcoming Jubilee. The ancient tree, standing majestically near Passo Nota in the Ledro mountains, has sparked widespread local backlash. An online petition opposing the tree’s removal has gained nearly 50,000 signatures, and a legal injunction has now been issued to prevent its cutting. Local advocacy groups argue, “We oppose this needless destruction. It’s hypocritical to discuss climate change and then cut down a centuries-old tree, emblematic of countless others felled annually in Italy and worldwide.”
Citing Pope Francis’s “Laudato Sì” encyclical, environmental committees urge the Pope to visit Val di Ledro and appreciate its natural beauty firsthand, advocating for alternatives to cutting the historic tree. Lorenzo Vescovi, a representative of the local “Comitato Quaranta,” criticizes the local government for its 60,000-euro contract with the Vatican to supply and transport the tree, suggesting those funds be redirected to pressing community needs like healthcare and infrastructure.
In place of cutting a new tree each year, residents have suggested that the Vatican consider an artistic, permanent installation made from fallen or naturally displaced wood, similar to recent sculptures in other Italian regions. This, they argue, would honor tradition while respecting the environment and addressing climate concerns.
The Vatican has a long-standing custom, dating back to Pope John Paul II, of showcasing magnificent firs from various European forests in St. Peter’s Square. Each December, the tree is accompanied by a nativity scene, drawing visitors from around the globe. The tradition, however, has seen increased scrutiny in recent years as environmental consciousness grows among the public
