Pope Francis visits a Roman parish’s life nativity scene

Rome, 7 January 2014: Pope Francis made a surprise visit on Monday afternoon to the Roman parish of St. Alphonsus de Liguori in the Northern outskirts of Rome, in the district of Giustiniana where hundreds of people have been waiting for him. He visited the life nativity scene in the parish made by the faithful of the parish with about 200 participants. More than 100 children welcomed the Pontiff with a song and a large bouquet of red roses. After a moment of meditation and private prayer inside the church, Francis greeted the long line of the faithful, children and the sick. Accompanying Pope was Cardinal Vicar of Rome Agostino Vallini.

We start the year with Jesus, he remains with us and overcomes evil, and we pray for everyone, especially for children who will be born and the wise grandparents, Pope Francis told them. The Holy Father then visited the living nativity scene placed next to the Parish church, where a little Bethlehem was rebuilt with shops, stalls, inns, scenes of everyday life in Jesus' time. The Pope has stopped a few minutes in front of each of them, to greet the more than 200 people who were part of the sacred representation. When he reached the hut of the nativity, two-month old little Francis was waiting for him, who had the role of the Child Jesus and who has received the sacrament of baptism in that very morning.

The 'shepherds' at the crib put a lamb on Pope’s shoulders, while others give him a stick. A smiling Pope then asked them: do I have to use it to lean on or to club? He pulls out his handkerchief several times for colds.

To the children, who welcomed the Pope with a yellow and white balloons and with irrepressible enthusiasm, he asked, just like a teacher: ''Do you believe that Jesus is with us'' after Christmas? And again: 'Do you believe that Jesus conquers the devil?''. The excited little ones responded with thunderous ''yes''. And the Pope replied: ''Well done and congratulations to the catechists.'' He asked them to pray for children who will be born and also for grandparents. And Pope concluded his visit in the festive atmosphere, with three cheers to Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Father Don Dario, who organized the event, said excited: ''I still do not believe it.'' The Pope told me that to put on all these are crazy, but this madness is pleasing to God. He encouraged me to continue with this, did not to discourage me. What will change in this parish? I do not know, he said, adding but it is certain that the Pope has confirmed us in the faith.Source: ANSA