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Pope Francis (archive image): No more flowers for the Pope
Photo: Andrew Medichini / dpa
Every year the Pope received tens of thousands of tulips, daffodils, roses and hyacinths for Easter.
Within a day, 30 employees then decorated the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica.
And every year, during the traditional papal blessing »Urbi et Orbi«, which is broadcast around the world, the pope always thanked the flowers: »Bedankt voor de bloemen«, said the respective pontiff in Dutch.
But now that's over: The Vatican will have to do without free flowers from Holland for Easter celebrations in the future.
After 35 years, Dutch flower growers are ending the tradition of delivering free floral decorations for St. Peter's Square in Rome.
"The sponsors are stopping, it no longer fits into their marketing concept," said the previous head of the project, Paul Deckers, of the ANP news agency.
Thanks from three popes
In the past two years, the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica could not be decorated because of the pandemic.
But now the donors have finally drawn a line under the "Flowers for the Pope" project.
Deckers himself had received personal thanks from three popes, John Paul II, Benedict XVI.
and Francis.
Deckers was awarded a papal order by the latter in 2015.
kha/dpa