Why propose a space dedicated to the Nativity scene at the Meeting? The first reason lies in an anniversary: 800 years since the first Nativity scene was created by Saint Francis of Assisi in Greccio. This anniversary holds significance not only for the Franciscan order but for the entire Church, as the Nativity scene is a popular expression of faith. The second reason arises from the theme of this year’s Meeting. For Saint Francis, the idea of “reconstructing” that “scene” of “that night” in Bethlehem stems from his friendship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. 

San Francesco expressed the desire to “see with the eyes of the body”… an aspiration to fully immerse oneself in the greatest event in history: “The Word became flesh,” becoming the possibility of friendship. That night in Greccio, everything became possible through the friendship between San Francesco and Giovanni, the lord of Greccio, who willingly placed himself at the service of San Francesco’s wishes. Moreover, it was through the friendship of San Francesco with his friars, a brotherhood, a companionship, that the momentous event of God’s incarnation within history was brought to life on that night in Greccio. The first grand Nativity scene in history emerged immediately after the celebration of the Holy Eucharist… It is the Church, a friendship, that brings forth within the personal stories of each of us the opportunity to experience and relive the encounter with Jesus, who was born, lived, died, and rose again among us. 

Edited by: Father Marco Finco, born in 1964, became a friar in 1991 and was ordained as a priest in 1996. Since 2011, he has served as the artistic director of Rosetum. For over twenty years, he has been traveling throughout Italy, bringing the spirit of Saint Francis to life through theater and music.  

“My passion for theater probably began when I was born… Even today, I am struck by the fact that, for theater to happen, an encounter must take place: the encounter between actors and the audience. Theater does not exist without actors, but it also does not exist without an audience.”