LIGHTING OF CHRISTMAS TREE IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 18, 2001 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place in St. Peter's Square. This year's tree was donated by Romania.

Participating in the ceremony were President Ion Iliescu, of Romania, Catholic Bishop Ioan Robu of Bucharest, Orthodox Prelate Vicientu Ploiesteanu, and Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

The spruce tree, which comes from the woods of Transylvania, measures 25 meters high, 8 meters in diameter, and weighs 5.5 tons. Before the tree lighting, President Iliescu and Cardinal Szoka each made a brief speech, and, in conclusion, a choir sang various Romanian traditional songs. The tree is located next to the Nativity Scene, which is under construction and will be opened on the night of December 24.

After the ceremony, the president of Romania, accompanied by a delegation, attended a Christmas concert given by a children's choir of Radio Romania, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

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