Tuesday, December 14, 2004
JPII on Christmas
He's for it.
-----
Vatican, Dec. 13 (CWNews.com) - Pope John Paul II (bio - news) has entered into the suddenly lively debate in Italy over the public display of Nativity scenes. At his public audience on Sunday, December 12, the Pontiff said that the traditional Christmas crèche "is part of our culture and art."
"Large or small, simple or elaborate, the creche is a familiar yet very expressive representation of Christmas," John Paul said. He added that "above all it is a sign of faith in God, who in Bethlehem came 'to live among us."
The Pope did not refer directly to the public debate that flared in Italy last week, when some public schools announced plans to withdraw their Nativity scenes, allegedly in deference to Muslim students. But reporters quickly put the Pope's words into the context of that controversy.
Actually the Holy Father's remarks were in keeping with an old Vatican tradition; each year, on the third Sunday of Advent, the Pontiff blesses the Christmas crèches that children bring to the papal audience. Thus the Pope gave his blessing, saying that the Nativity scenes "invite us to be vigilant in prayer" as Christmas approaches.
An enormous Christmas crèche is under construction in the middle of St. Peter's Square, in fulfillment of another more recent Vatican tradition that dates back to 1982. A dozen workers are still finishing the construction of the scene, which is hidden behind a screen that will not be removed until after midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
The other major piece of decoration in St. Peter's Square, the giant Christmas tree, will be illuminated during a small ceremony on Wednesday, December 15. At his Sunday audience, Pope John Paul appeared more energetic than in previous public appearances. He spoke with satisfaction of the 54 new churches that have been built around the Rome diocese in recent years-- although he added that the diocese needs 200 new church buildings to accommodate the needs of the faithful in outlying communities. And he issued an invitation to the faithful to attend a Mass at which he will preside on Tuesday, December 14, for the university students of Rome.
-----
Vatican, Dec. 13 (CWNews.com) - Pope John Paul II (bio - news) has entered into the suddenly lively debate in Italy over the public display of Nativity scenes. At his public audience on Sunday, December 12, the Pontiff said that the traditional Christmas crèche "is part of our culture and art."
"Large or small, simple or elaborate, the creche is a familiar yet very expressive representation of Christmas," John Paul said. He added that "above all it is a sign of faith in God, who in Bethlehem came 'to live among us."
The Pope did not refer directly to the public debate that flared in Italy last week, when some public schools announced plans to withdraw their Nativity scenes, allegedly in deference to Muslim students. But reporters quickly put the Pope's words into the context of that controversy.
Actually the Holy Father's remarks were in keeping with an old Vatican tradition; each year, on the third Sunday of Advent, the Pontiff blesses the Christmas crèches that children bring to the papal audience. Thus the Pope gave his blessing, saying that the Nativity scenes "invite us to be vigilant in prayer" as Christmas approaches.
An enormous Christmas crèche is under construction in the middle of St. Peter's Square, in fulfillment of another more recent Vatican tradition that dates back to 1982. A dozen workers are still finishing the construction of the scene, which is hidden behind a screen that will not be removed until after midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
The other major piece of decoration in St. Peter's Square, the giant Christmas tree, will be illuminated during a small ceremony on Wednesday, December 15. At his Sunday audience, Pope John Paul appeared more energetic than in previous public appearances. He spoke with satisfaction of the 54 new churches that have been built around the Rome diocese in recent years-- although he added that the diocese needs 200 new church buildings to accommodate the needs of the faithful in outlying communities. And he issued an invitation to the faithful to attend a Mass at which he will preside on Tuesday, December 14, for the university students of Rome.
