In a land scarred by the weight of war and destruction, on the initiative of the Embassy of Palestine to the Holy See and the High Presidential Committee for the Affairs of the Churches in Palestine, an extraordinary nativity scene was born. Its every detail resonates like a powerful cry: Stop the blood flowing on earth and give humanity back its message. On the 7th of December, His Holiness Pope Francis imparted his blessing on the nativity from Bethlehem during a ceremony in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. Present at the ceremony were members of the Palestinian delegation, including Dr. Ramzi Khoury, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Holy See, Issa Kassissieh, together with the Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, Brother Ibrahim Faltas. ISSA KASSISSIEH Ambassador of Palestine to the Holy See 'The idea for the nativity scene was born in the heart of wounds, in Bethlehem, in the cradle of Christ. This grotto represents a message from Bethlehem, addressed to His Holiness the Pope and the whole world. A call to pray for dignity and peace in the land that is a symbol of peace, love and holiness. It is a call to Palestine, the land of Christ's cradle.’ ‘No more wars! No more violence! You know that in the arms factory one of the most profitable investments is just that: making money to kill... but how is that possible? No more wars!’ Pope Francis' words resonate as a firm rejection of violence and a direct appeal to end the cycle of conflict, which only causes suffering and loss, for all. RAMZI KHOURY Member of the PLO Executive Committee Chairman of the High Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine This nativity scene sends a message to the whole world: where are you in stopping the ceasefire? Where are you in stopping the massacres? Where are you in dealing with famine? Where are you when it comes to humanitarian law? Where are you when it comes to justice? Where do you stand on international legitimacy, which requires the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital? These questions are addressed to Western and American world leaders. The ceremony was followed by a Mass dedicated to peace and the end of the war in Palestine, celebrated in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Hungarians in the Vatican and presided over by Brother Ibrahim Faltas, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land. Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, Ofm Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land His Holiness Pope Francis expressed, in his own words, his deep sorrow for the situation in the Holy Land, particularly in Bethlehem, describing it as: ‘Bethlehem, suffering and bleeding’. Today we have prayed in a special way for Gaza, for Syria, for the Holy Land and for the Middle East, that only God may grant us the true peace we have needed for over 70 years. Amen. The nativity scene was skilfully carved by Bethlehem artists, school students and people with disabilities, transforming it into a work of art expressing the will to live. Made of olive wood, it tells the story of the Holy Land. The figures of the Holy Family emerge in their finest detail. Above them shines a mother-of-pearl star, illuminating the path to peace. On that star is engraved the verse: "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth". Read More