Vatican Nativity scene to honor 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ creche

[Michie]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi setting up the first Nativity scene, the creche in St. Peter’s Square in 2023 will come from the Diocese of Rieti, Italy, and pay tribute to the scene set up in the diocese in 1223.

St. Francis’ Nativity scene in a cave in Greccio featured live animals, but the one set to be unveiled in St. Peter’s Square Dec. 9 will not, according to a press release from the Vatican City State governor’s office.

But the scene still will be very simple: Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, some shepherds and figures representing the nobleman Giovanni Velita, his wife Alticama, and three Franciscan friars who, at St. Francis’ behest, put a hay-filled manger, an ox and a donkey in a grotto where the local faithful could come to pray and to imagine the poverty and simplicity into which Jesus was born.

Continued below.

Vatican Nativity scene to honor 800th anniversary of St. Francis' creche

On the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi setting up the first Nativity scene, the creche in St. Peter's Square in 2023 will come from the Diocese of Rieti, Italy, and pay tribute to the scene set up in the diocese in 1223. St. Francis' Nativity scene in a cave in Greccio featured live...

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[RileyG]