Wed 11 December 2024:

Pope Francis unveiled the annual nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday which this year features baby Jesus laying on a Palestinian keffiyeh.

The scene, created by Palestinian artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi from Bethlehem, features a statue of baby Jesus crafted from olive wood – a symbol of Palestine – and incorporates materials such as mother-of-pearl, stone, ceramic, glass, felt and fabric.

Pope Francis has been outspoken in his criticism of the Israeli aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip, recently calling for an investigation into Israel’s genocide in the Strip.

During the unveiling ceremony, Pope Francis emphasised that the nativity scene serves as a poignant reminder of those enduring the tragedies of war in the Holy Land and beyond.

“Enough war, enough violence!” he declared while condemning the arms industry that profits from conflict and suffering.

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Pope Francis to meet Palestine President Abbas on Thursday, Vatican says

Pope Francis will meet Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, on Thursday, the Vatican said in a planning note on Tuesday, Reuters reports.

Abbas is travelling to Italy this week, where he is expected also to meet with Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, and Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

Francis and Abbas have met several times. The Pope has recently become more vocal in his criticism of Israel’s military campaign in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

The Pope, in October, criticised the “shameful inability” of the international community to bring an end to the war.

Francis, leader of the global Catholic Church since 2013, has also criticised Israeli air strikes in Lebanon against Hezbollah targets as going “beyond morality”.

Abbas and Francis last met at the Vatican in November 2021. On Thursday, the Palestinian leader is expected to have a meeting with Francis at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace before also meeting with the Catholic Church’s top diplomatic officials.

-MEMO

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