On Sunday evening, Pope Francis lit up a Christmas tree on a hillside above the Umbrian town of Gubbio in Italy by simply touching a button on a tablet.
According to Vatican Radio, the lighting ceremony followed the Pope’s delivering a message via video link up from the Vatican.
In doing this, Pope Francis followed the tradition done by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011 and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.
According to the Guinness Book of Records in 1991, the tree was ranked the largest Christmas tree in the world, measuring about 750 meters tall by 450 meters wide.
Below is a Vatican Radio-provided translation of the Pope’s message.
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Good evening, I wish you a happy and holy Christmas.
In switching on the light of the Nativity scene, we wish for the light of Christ to be in us. A Christmas without light is not Christmas. Let there be light in the soul, in the heart; let there be forgiveness to others; let there be no hostilities, which are dark. Let there be the beautiful light of Jesus. This is my wish for all of you, when you turn on the light of the crib. Many thanks for your gift, it is beautiful. Also I give to you my warmest wishes, peace and happiness. If you have something dark in your soul, ask the Lord for forgiveness. Christmas is a great opportunity to cleanse the soul, eh! Do not fear, the priest is merciful, forgiving all in the name of God, because God forgives everything. let light be in your hearts, in your families, in your cities. And now, with this wish, turn on the light.
Blessed be God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Merry Christmas and pray for me.
[Translation by Vatican Radio]
