VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images(VATICAN CITY) — The Vatican’s yearly Christmas Nativity scene included a number of unusual additions this year, shedding light on some of the major events that shaped life in the region over the past year.
In addition to the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Three Wise Men and farm animals inhabiting the traditional manger, a spire from one of the churches damaged in this year’s central Italy earthquakes was prominently featured. The St. Benedict Basilica in Norcia lay next to the life-sized Nativity Scene, unveiled on Friday.
As a nod to the ongoing refugee crisis that has seen an unprecedented number of people attempt to cross the Mediterranean in unsafe vessels in hopes of reaching Europe, the Nativity Scene featured a Maltese fishing boat.
Many migrants and refugees have attempted the crossing in similar boats, and the United Nations Refugee Agency said over 300,000 refugees had crossed the Mediterranean in 2016 as of September 20th.
The Vatican Christmas tree also featured ornaments made by sick Italian children throughout the country.
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