Everything is ready for the unveiling of the nativity scene that the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno will offer to the Pope for Christmas 2025. The work will be on display in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican until Jan. 11.

About 4,000 pilgrims are preparing to leave from the diocese, led by Bishop Joseph Judge. Many decided to attend the audience with the Holy Father Leo XIV scheduled in the morning in the Paul VI Hall and then at 5 p.m. at the unveiling of the Nativity scene and the lighting of the Christmas tree.

The morning and afternoon program

In the morning, delegations, in addition to the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno there will be one from the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone offering the Christmas tree, will be received in audience by the Pope for the official presentation of gifts.

In the morning, Nacimiento Gaudium, Costa Rica’s chosen theme for the Nativity, will also be inaugurated in the Paul VI Hall. Present for the occasion will be the First Lady of the Republic of Costa Rica, Signe Zeicate, and followed up.

The afternoon ceremony will be presided over by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of the State of Vatican City, in the presence of Archbishop Emilio Nappa and lawyer Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Secretaries General of the same Governorate.

The delegations of municipalities

The two moments will be attended by a large institutional representation from Agro Nocerino-Sarnese. Mayors and delegations from the municipalities of: Corbara, Nocera Inferiore, Nocera Superiore, Pagani, Roccapiemonte, San Marzano sul Sarno, Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino, San Valentino Torio and Sarno. There will also be a delegation from Sala Consilina, the bishop’s hometown, and representatives from the Province of Salerno and the Sarno District Reclamation Consortium.

The characteristics of the crib

The Nativity Scene in St. Peter’s Square was designed and developed in the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno to cover an area of 200 square meters.

It features characteristic elements of the area, such as the Baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Nocera Superiore, the Helvius fountain in Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino and the typical courtyards of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese; architectural elements inhabited by St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, Servants of God Don Enrico Smaldone and Alfonso Russo, all enriched by symbols and elements that enhance the intangible and enogastronomic heritage of our land. The scenes include a cross-section of the Baptistery on the left, a House of Courtyards on the right; in the foreground the Helvius fountain, topped by the coat of arms with the walnut tree, symbol of the University of Nocera de’ Pagani.

Each element has a specific meaning and leads the eye to the center: the Nativity. The paving proposes the ancient Roman streets in stone slabs. On it were anchored the shepherds at natural height with some animal figures. The idea was to combine art and spirituality in a setting reminiscent of faith and tradition.

Where to follow on television and social media

For those who will remain in the diocese, the 5 p.m. unveiling ceremony will be broadcast live on Vatican News channels and rebroadcast live: on the diocese’s social channels; on television and social by Telenuova; on radio by Radio Base and Radiocattolica.it; and on TV2000’s Play2000 app.