Six popes are buried at St. Mary Major; Pope Francis says he'll be next
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?
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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.