Neapolitan delegation presents Pope nativity scene of St. Peter’s Square

December 23, 2013 - Pope Francis welcomed to the Vatican on Monday a delegation from the southern Italian city of Naples, that presented him the life-size nativity scene in the centre of St. Peter’s Square in Rome this Christmas. Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Archbishop of Naples led the delegation of some 30 members, that included the president of Campania Region along with some officials, members of the Naples bishop’s house as well as artists of the Cantone & Costabile firm, the famous creators of the Neapolitan style nativity scenes. The first nativity scene of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square this Christmas is entitled, “Francis 1223 – Francis 2013”, recalling the world’s first nativity scene set up 790 years ago by Italy’s popular patron St. Francis of Assisi, whose name and humble lifestyle Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio assumed on being elected Pope on March 13. The nativity scene will be inaugurated on Tuesday, prior to the Pope’s Christmas vigil Mass. Cardinal Sepe told reporters he invited Poe Francis to visit Naples, which the Pope accepted without indicating any date. Alongside the nativity scene is also a giant Christmas tree which had been gifted by the German town of Waldmunchen. The 25-meter tall fir tree, weighing 7.2 tons, has already been inaugurated.