Around mid-November, work began to prepare the Vatican's spectacular Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square.
This is the result.
Roman tradition prohibits the placement of baby Jesus before December 24.
The display has a very original Neapolitan style that combines traditional figures like the Holy Family or Wise Men with other stories.
People like it, but not everyone understands it.
“We loved it. We loved it.”
'Absolutely beautiful, we are very happy that we made this trip. We'll do it again.”
“Absolutely, it was beautiful.”
“I've been here a couple of times already to look at... It looks a little bit strange. It has some images, or some setups that I've never seen before, but I don't know why I had asked people that were born here in Rome and they were not able to explain that to me”.
The secret to this Nativity scene is that it includes figures representing works of mercy.
From visiting prisoners...
Taking care of the sick...
Giving food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty...
To clothing the naked...
...or burying the dead.
People seem to like it. It's the most-visited Nativity scene in the world, or at least the most-photographed.
