Benedict XVI lit the candle of peace and opened the Portal of Bethlehem

Benedict XVI today ignited the peace candle placed in the window of his apartment overlooking Saint Peter's square, and opened in an unpleasant and cold evening the Portal of Bethlehem life-size erected in the middle of the Vatican grounds, in front of the Obelisk.

The opening of the birth and the lighting of the candle are two traditional rituals that give beginning celebrations Christmas at the Vatican where at 2200 local time (2100 GMT), Benedict XVI records in the Basilica of San Pedro del Gallo mass.

This is the third year in which the midnight mass is ahead of two hours and is for not fatigue Benedict XVI, who is 84 and tomorrow should officiate the rites of Christmas.

The lighting of the candle is a Polish tradition that followed Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI continues.

During the lighting of the candle, the Pontiff not uttered any phrase, only a few seconds prayed for peace in the world and with the candle u000aHe made the sign of the cross. Later with the hand he greeted and blessed those present in the plaza

El Portal de Belén was inaugurated by Archbishop Giovanni Bertello, Governor of Vatican City State, in the presence of numerous bishops, priests and faithful.

For the first time, the opening of the Portal of Bethlehem was accompanied by a concert of songs Christmas of numerous countries.

The birth of this year has a Marian accent and is inspired by the recent beatification of Pope John Paul II, a very Marian Pope. A cross with a large M, reminiscent of the M in the papal coat of Wojtyla and his "Totus Tuus", highlighted in the Portal of Bethlehem, set in Palestine.

Next to the Manger stand houses and places of typical Palestinian architecture and the placed figures are two feminine, reminiscent of the meeting of Mary with her cousin Elizabeth.

The Portal is complemented by a score of figures, all to size u000anatural, from the Portal of Bethlehem which was made in 1842 in the Roman Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle by St. Vincent Palotti.

Next to the Portal has been placed the traditional Christmas tree, which this year has given the Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia.

Is a large red spruce of the species "Picea abies", 30.5 metres tall, of 5.6 metres in diameter and nearly five tons of weight placed.

FIR has more than 700 branches, some of which weigh between 10 and 12 kilograms.

Has been decorated with 2,500 areas of color gold and silver and other so many white lights and yellow.

As it is tradition, also this year another Mexican State, this time is found, it has given the Vatican a manger and decorations for the firs Christmas.

El Portal de Belen consists of fifteen pieces of ceramic talavera and has been installed in the Aula Paul VI, where the Pope holds public hearings u000aand other events. Pope Benedict XVI visited the Manger of poblano style, the last day 14 and blessed him.

In addition to these portals, in the apartment of Pope Benedict XVI has been placed another site set in the area of the Vatican gardens, where the Pontiff walks to journal.

So, have presented the Canadianpharmacy Grotto, a copy of the original St John's Tower, the "torrino" (turret), el templete of Saint Theresa of Lisieux and the Plaza to the building of Radio Vatican.

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