After getting massive backlash, the Vatican has taken down a Nativity scene that was inaugurated by Pope Frances last weekend. The controversy was due to the wooden figure of the baby Jesus being laid down on a keffiyeh, which is a traditional Palestinian scarf that has come to be a symbol for Palestine, despite the fact such a state doesn’t officially exist. With the terrorist attack that happened to Israel in Oct. 2023, which was carried out by Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic terrorist organization, the display was truly in poor taste.
Pope Francis has consistently been a leader that seeks to supposedly work toward world peace, but the way he goes about achieving the goal is by compromising either morally or doctrinally. This whole mess is a prime example of that.
According to a report from The Christian Tribune, the Nativity scene from the Vatican is part of a series that was created by Johny Adonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, both of whom are Palestinian. It makes you wonder why the Catholic Church would want to have a display of Christ’s birth that was made by individuals who are not even of the same religion. You can’t sacrifice the narrow road presented by the gospel for the sake of secular peace. That’s an abomination to the Lord as it represents a mild form of syncretism, which God in the Bible forbids for His people.
It is unknown if the keffiyeh, manger, and baby have been removed in response to the criticism or because of the Advent tradition of waiting for Jesus’ arrival on Christmas Day. According to Premier Christian News, A spokesman for the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem said they were ‘relieved’ that the display had now been taken away. As we reported last week, The Pope extolled his audience to “…remember the brothers and sisters who, instead, right there and in other parts of the world, are suffering from the tragedy of war. With tears in our eyes, let us raise our prayer for peace. Brothers and sisters, enough war, enough violence!” This is the latest in a series of comments the Pope has made about the conflict in Gaza.
The Pontiff addressed Palestinian dignitaries who attended the event by saying, “the representation of the Embassy of the State of Palestine, tormented Palestine, which has come to present, on behalf of the City of Bethlehem, this ‘Nativity,’ created by the craftsmen of Bethlehem.”
PLO executive committee member Ramzi Khouri, conveyed “warm greetings” from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Other representatives of the Palestinian diaspora were also present at the ceremony.
And what makes matters worse is that Pope Francis has slapped the wrists of the State of Israel on several occasions over the course of the Israel-Hamas conflict, saying, ” According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide.”
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He also asked for a “careful investigation” of Israeli military actions. He has previously described the behavior of the IDF as “a massacre” and ” terrorism.”
The Wall Street Journal, which is a big time supporter of the Jewish State, has slammed the Pope’s views on the situation on multiple occasions. Editors for the outlet said, “There is something disturbing about a pope accusing Jews — the victims of genocide themselves — of genocide while they are fighting for survival on several fronts against enemies aiming to destroy them.”
The Israeli Embassy has also been vocal about their complaints against Pope Francis. “The massacre of October 7 was a genocidal massacre against the people of Israel. Israel is acting in accordance with international law and in self-defense. Any attempt to call this self-defense by another name is to single out the Jewish state.”
Edith Bruck a 93-year-old Hungarian-Jewish woman, who miraculously survived Auschwitz, Dachau, and Bergen-Belsen, also took issue with Pope Francis’ words. “Genocide is something else. When a million children are burned to death, then you can talk about genocide.” She says that the events in Gaza are a tragedy, but are not intended to wipe out all Palestinians.
The Times of Israel Staff also commented on the controversy. They disputed how the Pope characterized the war and drew attention to ‘antisemitic’ passages in the Book of John. “Israel categorically rejects that characterization of its conduct in the ongoing war, which began on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists invaded southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, amid acts of brutality and sexual assault.”
Pope Francis tends to be lean a little too much to the left for my, and many other Christians’ comfort, on a number of issues, which has caused a sizable rift in the Catholic Church between a faction of believers who call themselves “trads” and nominal Catholics. When you have someone that’s so divisive heading up your Church, it can cause a lot of chaos and turmoil. That’s the last thing our world needs.
More so now than ever, our societies need to see examples of Christ’s love and truth, working together, to help correct the errors people have fallen into.