Residents of the Val di Ledro valley in northeastern Italy are appealing to Pope Francis to halt plans to cut down a centuries-old fir tree destined for St. Peter’s Square this Christmas. Their petition on Change.org has garnered over 40,000 signatures, urging the Pope to visit their beautiful valley. They argue that the money allocated for transporting the tree could instead support local healthcare initiatives. Environmental organizations are also seeking legal means to prevent the tree’s removal, with hopes grounded in the Pope’s known environmental sensitivity. An alternative proposal suggests a tree made from wood of smaller trees impacted by extreme weather.