CNS / Paul Haring
Figures of Joseph, an angel and Mary are pictured in the Nativity scene in St. Peter s Square at the Vatican Dec. 14.
CNS / Paul Haring
Figures of Joseph, an angel and Mary are pictured in the Nativity scene in St. Peter s Square at the Vatican Dec. 14.
VATICAN CITY The image of baby Jesus nestled in the manger is a much-needed reminder during the pandemic that God gives the world the gift of hope in troubled times, Pope Francis said.
Meeting with delegations from Castelli in Italy s Abruzzo region and from Kocevje, Slovenia responsible, respectively, for the Nativity scene and Christmas tree in St. Peter s Square the pope said that Christmas reminds us that Jesus is our peace, our joy, our strength, our comfort.
Away with the manger? Nativity scene at Vatican generates controversy cruxnow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cruxnow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Figures of Joseph, an angel and Mary are pictured in the Nativity scene in St. Peter s Square at the Vatican Dec. 14, 2020. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Especially in a year when the COVID-19 pandemic will rule out many people’s favorite Christmas traditions, they have a right to express their dislike of the decidedly untraditional Nativity scene on display in the center of St. Peter’s Square, said a priest who specializes in catechesis through art.
But it may be more edifying to try to understand it, said Msgr. Timothy Verdon, director of the office of sacred art for the Archdiocese of Florence, Italy, and director of the Florence cathedral’s museum.
Away with the manger? Vatican’s Nativity scene spurs controversy
Figures of Joseph, an angel and Mary are pictured in the Nativity scene in St. Peter s Square at the Vatican Dec. 14, 2020. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
By Cindy Wooden • Catholic News Service • Posted December 16, 2020
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Especially in a year when the COVID-19 pandemic will rule out many people’s favorite Christmas traditions, they have a right to express their dislike of the decidedly untraditional Nativity scene on display in the center of St. Peter’s Square, said a priest who specializes in catechesis through art.
But it may be more edifying to try to understand it, said Msgr. Timothy Verdon, director of the office of sacred art for the Archdiocese of Florence, Italy, and director of the Florence cathedral’s museum.