Rome marks the start of Christmas with the lighting of a 20-metre high tree

Thousands of people gathered to watch the Christmas lights being turned on in Rome's historic centre Monday

marking the start of this year's festive celebrations.

The mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, switched on the Christmas tree lights in Piazza del Popolo

along with the festive lights that run through the city's historic centre.

The 20 metre high tree was decorated with 100,000 LEDs.