Page 6 - Greccio News Today

The pope said this week that a burial place has been prepared for him at Santa Maria Maggiore — who are the other popes who were buried there?

Away in a cave near Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity scene -- a live one -- staged for the faithful on Christmas Eve in 1223. A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave inspired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter's Square for the 800th anniversary celebrations.

British culture continues to act out the Christmas story even as fewer believe it.

Highlights of events this week

The Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square depicts Mary, Joseph and St. Francis of Assisi, who organized the first Nativity scene in 1223.

The scene in St. Peter’s Square depicts not only Mary and Joseph standing beside the manager, but also St. Francis of Assisi and others.

The scene in St. Peter’s Square depicts not only Mary and Joseph standing beside the manger, but also St. Francis of Assisi, who organized the first Nativity...

The Vatican will unveil this years Nativity scene and light up its Christmas tree during a ceremony in St Peters Square on Saturday 9 December at 17.00.

This is the 25th anniversary of Facets of Faith. To observe that milestone, I have been rerunning columns from the past. This one ran Dec. 3, 2005.

Pope Francis pointed to Mary as the model of this kind of prayerful posture before the Nativity scene.