04:59Hundreds of people attended the official opening ceremony of the Christmas scene in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican on Saturday.
The event showcased the unveiling and lighting of a crafted Nativity scene, greeted by applause as it lit up the night. Additionally, a 25-meter (80-foot) high Christmas tree adorned with decorations was illuminated during the ceremony.
The living nativity scene, symbolising the night of Jesus' birth, traces back to 1223, originating when Saint Francis introduced it in Greccio, marking its 800th anniversary in 2023.
"In 1223 the Crusades took place in the Holy Land and Saint Francis said that one could not go to Bethlehem to risk the life. And that Bethlehem could be anywhere where Jesus was. And then he had this wonderful idea to create the living nativity scene," explained Enrico Bressan, the curator of the Christmas scene.
“Today, after 800 years, the situation in Gaza, in the Holy Strip, is proposed again. Our wish is that today this manger is a message of peace”, he added.
The frescoes decorating the scene's background depict scenes from the Sacred Valley, the Rieti Valley, where Saint Francis resided.
"I really like the light effects on the tree. The manger is original. Every year they do it differently. This year is something strange because there are friars. But yes, it is very nice. It has been a great emotion," shared one of the citizens, expressing her impressions about the scene.
"It is a beautiful Nativity scene remembering the anniversary of the nativity scene tradition started by Saint Francis. And we always hope that the Nativity scene brings a Christmas spirit and also a spirit of reconciliation with humanity and that it brings peace to the world," remarked another attendee at the ceremony.
The Christmas tree and Nativity scene will be on display from December 9th to January 7th, 2024.
'This manger is a message of peace' – Hundreds gather for opening of Christmas scene in Vatican
Hundreds of people attended the official opening ceremony of the Christmas scene in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican on Saturday.
The event showcased the unveiling and lighting of a crafted Nativity scene, greeted by applause as it lit up the night. Additionally, a 25-meter (80-foot) high Christmas tree adorned with decorations was illuminated during the ceremony.
The living nativity scene, symbolising the night of Jesus' birth, traces back to 1223, originating when Saint Francis introduced it in Greccio, marking its 800th anniversary in 2023.
"In 1223 the Crusades took place in the Holy Land and Saint Francis said that one could not go to Bethlehem to risk the life. And that Bethlehem could be anywhere where Jesus was. And then he had this wonderful idea to create the living nativity scene," explained Enrico Bressan, the curator of the Christmas scene.
“Today, after 800 years, the situation in Gaza, in the Holy Strip, is proposed again. Our wish is that today this manger is a message of peace”, he added.
The frescoes decorating the scene's background depict scenes from the Sacred Valley, the Rieti Valley, where Saint Francis resided.
"I really like the light effects on the tree. The manger is original. Every year they do it differently. This year is something strange because there are friars. But yes, it is very nice. It has been a great emotion," shared one of the citizens, expressing her impressions about the scene.
"It is a beautiful Nativity scene remembering the anniversary of the nativity scene tradition started by Saint Francis. And we always hope that the Nativity scene brings a Christmas spirit and also a spirit of reconciliation with humanity and that it brings peace to the world," remarked another attendee at the ceremony.
The Christmas tree and Nativity scene will be on display from December 9th to January 7th, 2024.
Hundreds of people attended the official opening ceremony of the Christmas scene in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican on Saturday.
The event showcased the unveiling and lighting of a crafted Nativity scene, greeted by applause as it lit up the night. Additionally, a 25-meter (80-foot) high Christmas tree adorned with decorations was illuminated during the ceremony.
The living nativity scene, symbolising the night of Jesus' birth, traces back to 1223, originating when Saint Francis introduced it in Greccio, marking its 800th anniversary in 2023.
"In 1223 the Crusades took place in the Holy Land and Saint Francis said that one could not go to Bethlehem to risk the life. And that Bethlehem could be anywhere where Jesus was. And then he had this wonderful idea to create the living nativity scene," explained Enrico Bressan, the curator of the Christmas scene.
“Today, after 800 years, the situation in Gaza, in the Holy Strip, is proposed again. Our wish is that today this manger is a message of peace”, he added.
The frescoes decorating the scene's background depict scenes from the Sacred Valley, the Rieti Valley, where Saint Francis resided.
"I really like the light effects on the tree. The manger is original. Every year they do it differently. This year is something strange because there are friars. But yes, it is very nice. It has been a great emotion," shared one of the citizens, expressing her impressions about the scene.
"It is a beautiful Nativity scene remembering the anniversary of the nativity scene tradition started by Saint Francis. And we always hope that the Nativity scene brings a Christmas spirit and also a spirit of reconciliation with humanity and that it brings peace to the world," remarked another attendee at the ceremony.
The Christmas tree and Nativity scene will be on display from December 9th to January 7th, 2024.