In an effort to boldly affirm a pro-life message during the Christmas season, the Vatican is set to unveil a massive nativity scene that was designed with the help of pro-life advocates from 40 Days for Life.
Entitled, “Nacimiento Gaudium,” (Joyful Birth), the scene was created by Costa Rican artist Paula Senoto with the aid of pro-life champions.
The nativity will be located in the Vatican and blessed by Pope Leo on Dec. 15.
One of the unique features of the display will be the use of 25,000 ribbons in place of the straw that typically goes in the manger. Each ribbon represents a baby who was saved through the prayer campaigns held by 40 Days for Life, an international organization that regularly holds vigils outside abortion clinics around the globe.
Alaska completed its most recent 40 Days for Life prayer campaign last month, in which pro-life advocates reported that at least one baby was saved from abortion after a couple exited the Anchorage Planned Parenthood center and told those praying outside that they had decided to let their baby live.
The Vatican nativity scene will include a pregnant Virgin Mary figure until Christmas Day. Then it will be replaced with a statue of Mary adoring the newborn Baby Jesus.
“This is the biggest pro-life rallying cry that will ever be heard from the Vatican,” Senoto told 40-Days for Life.
Senoto expressed hope that the nativity would raise awareness of pro-life efforts, amid the many acts of violence against pro-lifers, as well as the increasing number of Catholics who defend abortion in spite of the church’s official teachings regarding the profound dignity of the unborn.
