The bright colors of Peru brought some light to the Vatican on a gray day in Rome.
Pope Francis met with a group from Huancavelica, Peru, which was in charge of bringing this year's nativity scene to St. Peter's Square.
The excitement was palpable among those present. Bishop Carlos Salcedo Ojeda expressed his thanks to the Pope in their local language.
-'I will end with expressions from my region: one single thought, one single heart, one single objective, one journey together. Thank you very much.'
Pope Francis thanked them for their work and reflected on how the nativity scene and tree can help people live out the Christmas spirit.
POPE FRANCIS
'This is Christmas. Let it not be polluted by consumerism and indifference.'
He said that the poor must not be forgotten, and that they should be included in Christmas celebrations.
POPE FRANCIS
'For it to be truly Christmas, let us not forget this: God comes to be with us and asks us to care for our brothers and sisters, especially the poorest, weakest and most fragile, whom the pandemic threatens to marginalize even more.'
The Christmas tree is a red fir tree from northern Italy and stands over 90 feet tall. Its ornaments display Christmas greetings written by children.
The nativity comes from Peru and represents a typical Andean area. The camels of the Magi are llamas and of course the condor, one of the largest birds on the planet and a symbol of Peru also makes an appearance.
JRB
TR: JM
