Catholicism's most famous church lacks Christmas art, decoration

Published: 2003-12-18

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Romans generally do not deck the halls with boughs of holly, at least not the halls of their churches. Now a major holiday attraction for Roman families, the tree and the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square were first erected in 1982 at the request of Pope John Paul II, a Pole. But once through the square, northern European or North American visitors are likely to find St. Peter's Basilica decidedly un-Christmassy. Even including the Nativity scene temporarily set up in the Chapel of the Presentation, a visitor could count on one hand the examples of Christmas art inside the basilica. St. Peter's may mark the heart and center of the Catholic Church, but "it is a church built over a tomb and the decoration recalls the life and sacrifice of St. Peter and his relationship with Christ," said Daniele Pergolizzi, an archivist at the basilica.

Copyright (c) 2003 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .