FEAST DAY TRADITION A firefighter places a wreath on a statue of Mary overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Rome’s firefighters have observed the tradition every year since 1857. CNS/Paul HaringVATICAN CHRISTMAS TREE A nun watches as workers position the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Dec. 4. The tree is an 82-foot white fir from the Calabria region in southern Italy. CNS/Paul Haring
