Nativity scenes at the Vatican
23 December 2019
A look at Christmas cribs on display at different Vatican departments.
“The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, dear to Christian people, never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder”, said Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter on the meaning and importance of the Nativity scene. With the letter, Pope Francis encourages the tradition of preparing the Nativity Scene in the days before Christmas.
In keeping with the tradition, various Vatican departments set up the Christmas cribs seen in the video to remind us of the birth of Jesus in a stable.
Saint Francis of Assisi created the first Nativity Scene in Greccio Italy in 1223, three years after his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On the first day of Advent 2019, Pope Francis visited the Shrine to celebrate the popular piety that points to the Incarnation of the Son of God.
Nativity scenes within the Vatican
Apostolic Letter on the meaning and importance of the Nativity scene