Monday, December 19, 2011

Ukraine flavors Vatican Christmas tree lighting (AP)

VATICAN CITY ? Ukrainian pilgrims sang folk songs and carols and recalled the late Pope John Paul II's visit as the Vatican lit its Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square, a 25-meter (82-foot) pine from the Carpathian mountains in their country.

The tree was decorated with 2,500 gold and silver balls and figures of animals and toys. The ceremony Friday evening included a folk choir with children carrying giant pinwheels, a Christmas tradition in Ukraine.

Polish-born John Paul began the tradition of erecting a tall Christmas tree in the square in 1982; the Bavarian-born Pope Benedict XVI has continued it.

Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, who served as a secretary to John Paul before returning to his homeland of Ukraine, said the tree was "to thank John Paul" for his 2001 visit.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/europe/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111218/ap_on_re_eu/eu_vatican_christmas_tree

pepper spraying cop somaya reece college board padma lakshmi juelz santana juelz santana greg halman

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.