The Christmas tree was delivered to the Holy Father’s Christmas House by the delegation of the Highlanders composed by the mayor of Zakopane – Leszek Dorula, the head of the Tatra mountains district – Piotr Bąk and the president of the forest community of the 8 villages of Witów and the councillor of the Lesser Poland Regional Assembly – Jan Piczura.

These exceptional guests were welcomed by the museum’s director, Rev. Jacek Pietruszka. Once decorated the Christmas tree together, we heard great stories about the tradition of bringing the Christmas tree into the papal apartments. As in previous years, guests sang Christmas carols with the „Giewont” music band from our region.

John Paul II repeatedly stated how important the Christmas tree from the Podhale region was for him, for example during the general audience of 16 December 1998: “I cordially greet the Polish pilgrims (…). You have come, as you always did, with the gifts which include all your devotion to the Pope, but also your affection and cordiality. God bless you for these gifts, especially for the beautiful Christmas trees, the spruces from Zakopane. Thanks to your annual visit, the Pope always remembers the Podhale region with the Tatra mountains, green forests, meadows and fields and the sentimental carols of the Highlanders. All this brings me closer to my homeland and to my people”.

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