Vatican to switch on Christmas tree lights on 5 December 2019.

This year's Christmas tree in St Peter's Square will come from the centuries-old forests in northern Italy that were devastated by storms in November 2018.

The 26-m high spruce hails from Rotzo in the province of Vicenza, part of a densely-wooded region which saw whole forests razed to the ground by winds of up to 200 km/h last year.

The nativity scene, which will be set up beside the Christmas tree in St Peter's Square, will be made almost entirely of timber from Scurelle, in the province of Trento.

The crib will reportedly be characteristic of the Trentino tradition, with more than 20 life-sized figures as well as some tree trunks from forests hit by the storms.

The ceremony to unveil the crib and switch on the Christmas tree lights will be held at 16.30 on Thursday 5 December.

The tree and crib will remain on display in St Peter's Square until 12 January 2020. 

Photo Vatican Christmas tree 2016