Pope Francis, on Saturday, made headlines as he attended the unveiling of a unique seasonal nativity scene presented by Palestinian officials. This remarkable scene featured baby Jesus resting on a keffiyeh, symbolizing Palestinian national identity.
At this event, Pope Francis, despite being wheelchair-bound, issued a powerful call for peace. He implored believers worldwide to keep in mind those suffering from the ravages of war in Bethlehem and beyond, emphatically stating, "enough war, enough violence!" His words also highlighted the grim reality of the commercial arms trade.
The nativity scene is part of an exhibit titled “Nativity of Bethlehem 2024,” crafted by Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, artists hailing from Bethlehem. Unlike the primary display in St. Peter’s Square, this installation finds its home in the Paul VI Hall. The showcase didn't stop at the cradle; it also included a “Star of Bethlehem” plaque presented to Francis by two Palestinian children. This plaque bears a message of peace and goodwill in both Arabic and Latin.
The efforts to bring this nativity scene to life were collaborative, involving the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine—a branch of the Palestine Liberation Organization—and the Palestinian embassy to the Vatican. Various local institutions in Bethlehem also played significant roles in its organization.
During Sunday's dedication ceremony, Ramzi Khouri, a member of the PLO executive committee, expressed his gratitude towards Pope Francis for his staunch support for Palestinian rights and his endeavors to halt warfare in Gaza and foster justice.
This event gains further significance against the backdrop of recent controversies stirred by Pope Francis' statements regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Notably contentious were excerpts from an upcoming book where Francis pondered if Israel’s military actions against Hamas could be deemed genocide—a suggestion Israel vehemently disputes.
Israel's confrontation with Hamas escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, following a large-scale incursion by Hamas-led forces into southern Israel—an attack that resulted in substantial loss of life and numerous hostages taken amidst horrifying acts of violence.
Throughout these tumultuous times, Pope Francis has remained actively engaged with families of hostages and consistently advocated for their release. However, his letter marking one year since this tragic incident conspicuously avoided direct mention of Hamas or its heinous acts.
Moreover, this year's nativity scene has reignited discussions around historical claims concerning Jesus' identity—recalling past tensions sparked by similar assertions from Mahmoud Abbas in 2013.
Through these actions and expressions at such a poignant event as the nativity scene inauguration, Pope Francis continues to leverage his influential platform to advocate for peace and reconciliation amidst ongoing global conflicts—underscoring his commitment to addressing humanitarian crises while navigating complex political sensitivities.
At this event, Pope Francis, despite being wheelchair-bound, issued a powerful call for peace. He implored believers worldwide to keep in mind those suffering from the ravages of war in Bethlehem and beyond, emphatically stating, "enough war, enough violence!" His words also highlighted the grim reality of the commercial arms trade.
The nativity scene is part of an exhibit titled “Nativity of Bethlehem 2024,” crafted by Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, artists hailing from Bethlehem. Unlike the primary display in St. Peter’s Square, this installation finds its home in the Paul VI Hall. The showcase didn't stop at the cradle; it also included a “Star of Bethlehem” plaque presented to Francis by two Palestinian children. This plaque bears a message of peace and goodwill in both Arabic and Latin.
The efforts to bring this nativity scene to life were collaborative, involving the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine—a branch of the Palestine Liberation Organization—and the Palestinian embassy to the Vatican. Various local institutions in Bethlehem also played significant roles in its organization.
During Sunday's dedication ceremony, Ramzi Khouri, a member of the PLO executive committee, expressed his gratitude towards Pope Francis for his staunch support for Palestinian rights and his endeavors to halt warfare in Gaza and foster justice.
This event gains further significance against the backdrop of recent controversies stirred by Pope Francis' statements regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Notably contentious were excerpts from an upcoming book where Francis pondered if Israel’s military actions against Hamas could be deemed genocide—a suggestion Israel vehemently disputes.
Israel's confrontation with Hamas escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, following a large-scale incursion by Hamas-led forces into southern Israel—an attack that resulted in substantial loss of life and numerous hostages taken amidst horrifying acts of violence.
Throughout these tumultuous times, Pope Francis has remained actively engaged with families of hostages and consistently advocated for their release. However, his letter marking one year since this tragic incident conspicuously avoided direct mention of Hamas or its heinous acts.
Moreover, this year's nativity scene has reignited discussions around historical claims concerning Jesus' identity—recalling past tensions sparked by similar assertions from Mahmoud Abbas in 2013.
Through these actions and expressions at such a poignant event as the nativity scene inauguration, Pope Francis continues to leverage his influential platform to advocate for peace and reconciliation amidst ongoing global conflicts—underscoring his commitment to addressing humanitarian crises while navigating complex political sensitivities.
