In the context of the celebrations prior to Christmas, Pope León XIV received on this December 15 in the Paul VI Hall the donors of the Vatican Nativity scene and Christmas tree, installed both in the Hall itself and in St. Peter’s Square.
During the audience, the Pontiff thanked for the artistic contributions and took the opportunity to emphasize the Christian meaning of these symbols.
We leave below the full message from León XIV:
In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
may peace be with you!
Dear brothers and sisters, brothers and sisters,
I am pleased to welcome you all, gathered here for the official presentation of the Nativity scene and the Tree that adorn St. Peter’s Square, as well as the Crib placed in this Hall.
I greet the Delegation from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, from where the Nativity scene comes: Bishop Mons. Giuseppe Giudice, the civil Authorities, and the various ecclesial groups. I thank you for this artistic work that evokes typical elements of your territory, such as the Baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Nocera Superiore, the Helvius fountain in Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino, and the characteristic courtyards of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese. These are places inhabited by St. Alphonsus Liguori, by the Servants of God Don Enrico Smaldone and Alfonso Russo. I thank the companies involved, the artisans, and all those who have designed the project and collaborated in its realization, seeking to unite art and spirituality in a scenography that narrates the faith and the cultural roots of your land.
To the pilgrims coming from all parts of the world who will visit St. Peter’s Square, the Nativity scene will remind them that God draws near to humanity, becomes one of us, entering our history in the smallness of a child. Indeed, in the poverty of the Bethlehem stable, we contemplate a mystery of humility and love. Before every Nativity scene, including those set up in our homes, we relive that Event and rediscover the need to seek moments of silence and prayer in our lives, to rediscover ourselves and enter into communion with God.
The Virgin Mary is the model of adoring silence. Unlike the shepherds who, upon returning from Bethlehem, glorify God and tell what they had seen and heard, the Mother of Jesus keeps all these things in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19). Her silence is not mere quiet: it is wonder and adoration.
Next to the Nativity scene stands the red fir from the forests of the municipalities of Lagundo and Ultimo, in the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. I greet the Delegation coming from that beautiful land: Bishop Mons. Ivo Muser, the Mayors, the other Authorities, and the various ecclesial and civil associations. The tree, with its ever-green branches, is a sign of life and evokes hope that does not fade even in the cold of winter. The lights that adorn it symbolize Christ, the light of the world, who came to dispel the darkness of sin and illuminate our path. In addition to the large fir, smaller trees from those same locations in Alto Adige are destined for offices, public places, and various settings in Vatican City.
The representation of the Nativity, which will remain in this Hall throughout the Christmas period, comes from Costa Rica and is titled Nacimiento Gaudium. Each of the twenty-eight thousand colored ribbons that decorate the scene represents a life preserved from abortion thanks to prayer and the support provided by Catholic organizations to many mothers in difficulty. I thank the Costa Rican artist who has wanted, along with the message of Christmas peace, to also launch an appeal to protect life from the moment of conception. I greet the Delegation from Costa Rica, in particular Mrs. Signe Zeicate, First Lady of the Republic, with her daughter, and the Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Holy See.
Dear brothers and sisters, the Nativity scene and the Tree are signs of faith and hope; as we contemplate them in our homes, in parishes, and in squares, let us ask the Lord to renew in us the gift of peace and fraternity. Let us pray for those who suffer because of war and violence; in particular today I wish to entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist massacre carried out yesterday in Sydney against the Jewish community. Enough of these forms of antisemitic violence! We must eliminate hatred from our hearts.
Let the tenderness of the Child Jesus illuminate our lives. Let the love of God, like the branches of an ever-green tree, remain alive in us. I renew my gratitude to all of you, as well as to the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services of the Governorship for their generous commitment, and while I invoke the maternal protection of the Most Holy Mary upon you and your families, I impart the apostolic blessing to you from my heart.