On December 16, the lights were turned on on the Christmas tree which was earlier transported from Ukraine to the Vatican. Earlier that day, Pope Benedict XVI received the Ukrainian delegation. The audience was held in St. Clement’s Hall in the Vatican, reported the Information Department of the UGCC.

The head of UGCC, Patriarch Sviatoslav, said in this regard: “The Christmas Tree which Ukraine presents today to the Holy Father is a symbol of unity and Christmas peace.  First of all, it is a symbol of unity of the Ukrainian land as this nice tree, brought from the beautiful region of Transcarpathia, represents all the regions of Ukraine and all the nationalities living in it.

“This Christmas Tree is a symbol of unity and peace within the Catholic Church in Ukraine whose existence in the form of the two rites (the Byzantine and Latin ones) is a vivid sign of unity and brotherly cooperation between the local Catholic Churches in Ukraine to the world and a visible testimony of the communion and filial respect of the Ukrainian Catholics for the Successor of St. Peter, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.  

“The tree is a symbol of cooperation between the Catholic Church and Orthodox Church in Ukraine testified by the representative presence of our Orthodox brethren here with us, at this ancient Square of St. Peter.

“As we inaugurate this Christmas Tree, we would like to address the whole world with a call to unity and peace, since unity and peace are necessary values to build a prosperous and safe common future.”