Maria, Josep and … an astronaut? The nativity scene of the Vatican 2020 was mocked

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(CNN) – Jesus, Mary and Joseph do not usually appear next to astronauts or figures similar to Darth Vader, but the Vatican has annoyed some Catholics by gathering them in their last manger.

Pope Francis inaugurated the scene on Friday, which features several life-size ceramic figures, but many people have expressed disapproval for his unusual appearance.

The Catholic Herald published an article labeling the manger as a “horrible comic.” The article, titled “The Shameful SciFi Creche of the Vatican,” added that some “more excitable people called him demonic, pagan, and idolatrous.”
On Twitter, Tim Stanley, historian and contributing editor of the Catholic Herald, he called the “absolutely terrifying” crib.
Futuristic figures have been criticized.

Futuristic figures have been criticized.

Gregorio Borgia / AP

Meanwhile, art historian Elizabeth Lev said the scene had sparked “a universal outpouring of mockery” in an interview with the Jesuit publication America Magazine.

“The Catholic Church has an incredible tradition of beauty, and yet after a year of hardship, we have created something to make fun of Jesus,” Lev added.

Each year, the Vatican places a different nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square. It is usually a great attraction for tourists.

This year’s sculptures are part of a collection made by students and teachers of an art school in Castelli, a city in the region of Abruzzo, Italy, known for its ceramics, from 1965 to 1975. , informs Vatican News.
“The Feast of the Nativity reminds us that Jesus is our peace, our joy, our strength, our comfort,” Pope Francis said during a speech to those attending the inauguration on Friday.

“But to receive these gifts of grace, it is necessary to feel small, poor, and humble like the figures of the Nativity.”

The manger has received criticism from many Catholics.

The manger has received criticism from many Catholics.

Grzegorz Galazka / Portfolio Mondadori / Getty Images

But not everyone was disappointed with this year’s scene.

Tommy Tighe, author of “The Catholic Hipster Handbook,” praised the viewing on Twitter.

“You can’t be like‘ one of the reasons Catholicism rules is because it’s weird ’and then not loving the Vatican crib ESPECIALLY THE ASTRONAUT,” he said. he wrote.

And Lino Rulli, presenter of “The Catholic Guy Show” on the radio, was even more effusive.

“I don’t know what I like best: the space or the Star Wars Cantina guy.” he tweeted Rollers. “I really want a small one for our house.”

However, this is not the first year that the Vatican has opted for an unconventional scene.

In 2018 the manger was sculpted from more than 700 tons of sand to create the manger sculpture 16 meters wide and 5 meters high, which covered 25 square meters.

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