Joel Kontinen
A Nativity scene featuring baby Jesus in a keffiyeh-wrapped cradle was
unveiled by the Vatican in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday.
The display, which was created by two artists from
Bethlehem, Johnny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, depicted Jesus laying on top of
the checkered black and white scarf that is a symbol of Palestinian
nationalism.
The scene erased the historical fact that Jesus
was born to two Jewish parents in
the then-Roman district of Judea.
Speaking at the scene, Pope Francis said that the
Nativity exhibit is a reminder for the world to “remember the brothers and
sisters, who, right there [in Bethlehem] and in other parts of the world, are
suffering from the tragedy of war.”
He then slammed the international arms trade and
added, “enough war, enough violence!”
On Sunday, Pope Francis hosted PLO executive committee
member Ramzi Khouri at the Vatican.
Khouri is a close confidant of Holocaust-denying and
terror-funding Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
During their meeting, Khouri expressed “deep gratitude
for the Pope’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and his tireless
efforts to end the war on Gaza and promote justice.”
In November, Pope Francis supported the allegation
that Israel’s war against the Hamas terror group constitues a genocide.
“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza
has the characteristics of a genocide,” he wrote.
“It should be carefully investigated to determine
whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and
international bodies.”
In a letter to Middle Eastern Catholics released on
the first anniversary of the October 7th terror onslaught, Pope Francis did not
mention Jesus n the Hamas terror group or condemn their atrocities for the
outbreak of the war.
Rather, Pope Francis addressed the “people of Gaza,
long embattled and in dire straits. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily.”
He did not acknowledge the Israelis displaced from
their homes or suffering near-daily bombing by the Hezbollah terror group.
But the Pope did not rely on what the Bible teaches. that Jesus was a Jew, born
of Jewish parents
Source:
World Israel News Staff 2024 Vatican Nativity scene features 'Palestinian,' keffiyeh-clad Jesus | World Israel News December 9
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