A Slovenian Christmas tree, a spruce from the Kočevsko forests, has been lit up in all its beauty today in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican. The tree is decorated with handmade ethnographic ornaments. The keynote speaker at the event was Dr Anže Logar, Minister of Foreign Affairs. In his address, Minister Logar noted that this is the second time a Christmas tree from Slovenia has adorned St Peter’s Square. The first time was in 1996. He emphasised that the execution of such a project during the very difficult times that we are experiencing now proved that it can be done. There is much symbolism in the event; the Slovenian Christmas tree lights up the central Vatican square as we head into 2021, the year which marks the thirtieth anniversary of Slovenia’s independence. Minister Logar highlighted that the Holy See was one of the first to officially recognise the young Slovenian state. The then Pope John Paul II supported Slovenia’s efforts for independence even before that. The Minister also remembered the efforts of the late Ljubljana Archbishop, Dr Alojzij Šuštar, and Dr Štefan Falež, the first Slovenian Ambassador to the Holy See. This Christmas tree gift thus serves as a gesture of appreciation to the Holy See for its support upon the emergence of the Slovenian state and represents Slovenia as a nation with Christian roots.