While the tradition of a Nativity display dates back to St. Francis of Assisi, today such scenes are most associated with the city of Naples. There such displays came to include not just the figures of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in a manager, but whole surrounding countrysides and cityscapes crowded with figures and replete with detail. These Neapolitan scenes reached their heyday in the 17th and 18th century and today provide a view into what life was like at that time. They feature all strata of society from nobles and servants to shopkeepers and children.
This year’s Vatican Nativity scene hails from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, in the region around Naples and Salerno, and falls squarely in the classical Neapolitan tradition. Such scenes make no pretense of recreating first-century life with historical accuracy; instead, the birth of Jesus is understood as entering into our here and now — an event for all ages.
This year’s scene, indeed, features St. Alphonsus Liguori playing a Christmas song in a side chapel and a figure I believe is Alfonso Russo, known for his dedication to volunteer service, sporting an Italian flag on his sleeve. It also includes such delightful details as a young wine-vendor–or perhaps just a wine enthusiast–and a couple of shepherds who may have indulged in his product, or are just dozing off, as the angel descends from above to give them the wake-up call of a lifetime.
There is something both playful and solemn about the Neapolitan tradition–in a word, something entirely human.
Since the line was short when I passed through St. Peter’s Square last week, I took a detour into the basilica itself and saw the Nativity scene inside.
I also decided to say a prayer at the tomb of Pope Benedict in the crypt below the basilica and stumbled on yet another Nativity scene in one of courtyards near the entrance — this one with distintive and beautiful figures from Mexico.
Here are the Vatican Nativity displays for 2022, 2023, and 2024 and my posts on the 800th anniversary of the first Nativity scene displayed in Greccio by St. Francis (here and here).
St. Peter’s looks especially beautiful this year for Pope Leo‘s first Christmas in the Vatican. The Holy Father may, however, have suggested just one small modification to the Nativity display this year. (Or someone else might have figured out how to create images with AI!) In either case, whether you’re a White Sox or a Cubs fan–or root for the Twins, like me–may everyone have a merry Christmas!
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Tony Lusvardi, S.J. 