Jesus placed on a keffiyeh… Why did Pope Francis pray in front of this nativity scene?

This is one of the striking images of recent days: Pope Francis praying in front of a nativity scene, in which Jesus is installed on a keffiyeh, a fabric that has become the symbol of the Palestinian people. The image made the rounds on social networks, with many Internet users approving the approach of the head of the Catholic Church.

On Saturday, the Pope went to the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, where this nativity scene, the work of several Palestinian artisans, is installed. The shell star above Mary and Joseph was made at the Piccirillo Center, which was founded with the support of the John Paul II Foundation. Mary, Joseph and Jesus were made in olive wood by Peter Khanou and Samir Loulos, artists from Bethlehem, the village where the Bible places the birth of Jesus. And the wool sheep were designed by Ark Bethlehem.

This Bethlehem nativity is a gift from the Presidential Committee for the Follow-up of Ecclesiastical Affairs in Palestine and the Palestinian Embassy at the Vatican. Bethlehem is currently in the West Bank, a territory ruled by the Palestinian Authority. Another photo released by AFP shows the Pope receiving a keffiyeh from members of the Palestinian embassy at the Vatican.

During this audience, the sovereign pontiff renewed his call for peace in the region. “With tears in our eyes, we raise our prayer for peace,” he said according to L'Osservatore Romanothe official newspaper of the Vatican. Brothers and sisters, no more wars, no more violence! »

As recalled The Crossthe Vatican officially recognized the Palestinian state almost ten years ago, in 2015, when Francis was already head of the Catholic Church.

On Saturday December 7, Pope Francis also inaugurated another crèche, inspired by Italian regions, and installed in front of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. A 29 meter high spruce tree was also installed for the faithful.