The nativity scene reminds us “that God becomes close to humanity, becomes one of us, entering our history with the littleness of a child.” Pope Leo XIV confirmed the meaning of the nativity scene, not relegated to tinsel or holiday decoration, but a concrete, tangible and visible reminder of the “mystery of humility and love” that is God’s incarnation. These words resonated in the Nervi Hall at the Vatican last Dec. 15, during the audience granted to donors of the nativity scene in Paul VI Hall and the tree and nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. The latter work, titled “Tu scendi dalle stelle,” was offered by the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, which in the 18th-century Neapolitan-style scene wished to express the sacredness of the nativity and the call to the territory, starting with the figure of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori. Peculiarity emphasized by the Holy Father: “A setting that tells of the faith and cultural roots of your land.” A speech welcomed by some 4,000 pilgrims who responded to Bishop Giuseppe Giudice’s invitation to “come to the Crib with joy, to the Crib come festive” to “bring the best of us and of our land.” The response was choral. Thousands in buses, cars and trains set out on the night of Dec. 15 to reach Vatican City. Along with Monsignor Giudice were lay and consecrated people, local civil and educational institutions, young and old, families with children, several people with disabilities: a people, the people of God. The first pilgrims of hope were at the controls already at the crack of dawn. To all, the Pontiff reiterated, “Let us let the tenderness of the Child Jesus illuminate our lives.” It was a historic day for the ecclesial and civil community of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, which received the embrace of Leo XIV and found itself in the depiction set up in St. Peter’s Square. In fact, the artistic and architectural elements recall the Baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Nocera Superiore, a house of the Agro courtyards, the Helvius fountain of Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino; charismatic figures such as the servants of God Don Enrico Smaldone and Alfonso Russo; and typical local agricultural and food products. An embrace that the pilgrims hope to reciprocate soon, Monsignor Giudice in fact invited the Pope to visit the diocese. “Before the Crib from this Square, we ask you for another gift: we await you in our Diocese to pray together at the tomb of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori,” the bishop said opening the speech given for the afternoon unveiling ceremony. An event held in the presence of the president of the Governorate of Vatican City State, Sister Raffaella Petrini, dozens of dignitaries and thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Referring to the Admirable Signum of the crib, Bishop Giudice added, “Despite the voices to the contrary, we continue to set up the crib not to distract or estrange ourselves from the storms of the world and of life; not for mere aesthetic taste, but to offer to all, a reliable sign of hope.” The gift was greatly appreciated by Sister Raffaella Petrini, who emphasized that “the crib of the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno does not simply want to ‘remember’ the birth of Jesus, but to bring it to life for those who observe it, to arouse living amazement, to touch hearts, to manifest God’s tenderness and to awaken faith in life.” The hope of the designer and coordinator, architect Angelo Santitoro, is that “all those who will contemplate the Mystery of the Incarnation through this work may experience what St. Alphonsus writes in Quanno nascette ninno: sweeten the mouth and intoxicate the heart.”

The creation of the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square involved dozens of professionals, technicians and workers from the Nocerino-Sarnese territory. A work that was the result of important synergies initiated several months ago. For the technical part: Angelo Santitoro, designer and coordinator; Silvio Di Monaco, executive design and set design; Massimo Imbriaco, safety coordinator; Marco Pepe, technical support. Contractor and contractor: Seri…a Advertising. Subcontractors: Avella Concept, Elettroclima and Euro Noleggi. Artists: Federico Iaccarino for the statues and Aldo Piccioni for the comet star. Transportation: Michele Sole s.r.l. Communication support: Priscus cooperative society. The Nativity scene was supported by the Campania Region and sponsored by the municipalities of the Diocese.