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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Angela Giuffrida in Rome

Campaigners in Italy urge pope to stop ‘sacrifice’ of 200-year-old tree for Xmas

Domed roof next to lit Xmas tree at night
A Christmas tree in St Peter's Square in December 2002. The Vatican tradition began 42 years ago. Photograph: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Environmental campaigners in Italy’s northern Trentino province have started a campaign to stop the felling of a 200-year-old fir tree intended to form the centrepiece of the Vatican’s Christmas decorations.

The so-called “Green Giant” is 29 metres tall and is due to be chopped down next week in a forest in the Ledro valley before being transported to the Vatican and positioned in St Peter’s Square, where it will be unveiled on 9 December.

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