Late in the afternoon of this Saturday, December 9th, the two symbols of Christmas par excellence were inaugurated with a ceremony in St. Peter's Square with the participation of ecclesiastical and civil authorities. Believers, pilgrims and tourists can admire them until January 7, 2024.
News from the Vatican
Present at the ceremony were Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga and Sister Raffaella Petrini, President and Secretary General of the Governor of the Vatican City State, respectively.
The official delegations came from the diocese of Rieti near Rome and Macra in northern Italy. When the Pope received them this morning, he spoke about the meaning of both symbols.
This year the nativity scene is particularly reminiscent of the Christmas nativity scene created by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223. Therefore, the production is inspired by the work found in Greccio, near the capital. For the Pope, the nativity scene must awaken in us a longing for silence and prayer.
“Silence to hear what Jesus says to us from this unique 'chair', the manger. Prayer to express the wonder, the tenderness and perhaps even the tears that the nativity scene evokes in us.
This year the nativity scene should also invite us to reflect on the drama that the people of the Holy Land are experiencing.
The tree addresses the concern for the shared home. In São Pedro Square there is a 28meterhigh and 6,500yardtall fir tree that was felled because there was a risk that it would collapse after 56 years of life.
The cut had already been planned and approved by the Piedmont region. In addition, your wood is not wasted, but rather converted into children's toys and distributed by Caritas.
“This is also a decision that makes us reflect and highlights the importance of caring for our common home: small gestures are essential for ecological transformation, gestures of respect and gratitude for the gifts of God,” the Pope said this morning in the audience.