Workers started setting up a 27-meter tall tree at the center of St. Peter's Square on Thursday morning as the Vatican prepares to celebrate this year's Christmas festivities.

The tree arrived from the northern Italian region of Trentino Alto-Adige.

The fully decorated and lit up tree will be unveiled at an evening ceremony planned for early December.

A nativity scene was also being prepared in the square.

AP video shot by: Silvia Stellacci