Vatican Removes Nativity Scene’s Baby Jesus Adorned with Keffiyeh
### Vatican Nativity Scene Featuring Palestinian Keffiyeh Sparks Global Controversy
The annual unveiling of the Vatican’s Nativity scene took an unexpected turn this month when the Holy See debuted a unique artistic interpretation of baby Jesus adorned with a keffiyeh — a traditional Palestinian scarf. The move, which was intended to symbolize solidarity with the Palestinian people, quickly attracted polarized reactions worldwide.
After being unveiled on December 7, the Nativity scene became the center of political and religious discourse, inciting both praise for cultural inclusivity and backlash for its perceived political implications. By December 11, the manger, baby Jesus, and keffiyeh — crafted by Palestinian artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi — were quietly removed, leaving the display noticeably incomplete. The Vatican has not yet provided official clarification regarding the sudden alteration, but critiques from pro-Israel organizations and various religious groups have inflamed discussions online and in the media.
#### A Symbolic Display with Deep Cultural and Religious Roots
The meticulously crafted Nativity scene was a joint gift to the Holy See from Dar al-Kalima University, the Palestinian Embassy at the Vatican, and the Higher Presidential Committee of Churches Affairs in Palestine. The infant Jesus figure, carved from a single olive tree — a traditional material in Bethlehem — was draped in a keffiyeh, a garment tied to Palestinian identity and Arab heritage. For the designers, this was a heartfelt homage to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ and the epicenter of Palestinian Christian communities.
The keffiyeh, long regarded as a symbol of Palestinian resistance and cultural pride, struck a chord with many who commended Pope Francis’s message of global solidarity. However, its inclusion also stirred debate over its political implications within a religious context.
#### A Backlash and the Debate Over Identity
The keffiyeh-clad baby Jesus received swift backlash online. Critics accused the Vatican of “politicizing” a sacred Christian tradition. Some expressed concern that the keffiyeh’s association with Palestinian nationalism distorted the historical identity of Jesus as a Jewish figure. Others took issue with what they viewed as a misappropriation of religious symbolism to insert a modern political narrative.
One outspoken critic is a pro-Israel group that argued the display fostered religious and political division. “Turning the Nativity scene into a symbol of hate,” one user on social media platform X commented, referring to the keffiyeh as “a garment that represents violence to Jews.”
Nonetheless, proponents of the piece articulated hope that its message would promote peace amidst the flare-ups in violence across the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Vatican had regularly advocated for peaceful resolutions in the region, with Pope Francis specifically condemning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and calling for investigations into possible genocide during the 2023-2024 conflict escalation.
#### Historical Context: Keffiyeh as a Point of Contention
The keffiyeh has increasingly become a polarizing cultural and political symbol, especially in Western discourse. Recently, its presence in art and cultural spaces has caused controversy. The Noguchi Museum in New York, for example, made headlines when it barred employees from wearing keffiyehs, citing it as “political dress.” The decision led to staff walkouts, protests, and global criticism from artists and activists.
Similarly, the keffiyeh’s depiction in artwork has faced resistance in various art markets, with pieces pulled from auctions globally after complaints tied to its visual messaging. The Vatican Nativity controversy is therefore the latest in a string of disputes underscoring how deeply this cultural symbol divides opinions.
#### Pope Francis: Balancing Faith, Politics, and Advocacy
This is not the first time Pope Francis has waded into politically sensitive territory. As a prominent voice for peace and justice on the world stage, his public comments and actions — from addressing the war in Gaza to meeting with Muslim and Jewish communities — have occasionally sparked contention. His call for an investigation into Israel’s actions in Gaza drew ire from pro-Israel groups, even as he made efforts to connect with the families of hostages abducted by Hamas.
In including the keffiyeh in the Nativity scene, the Vatican seemed poised to project a message of inclusion and solidarity. However, the decision to quietly remove the manger and baby Jesus suggests an ongoing struggle within the Holy See and its global audience to reconcile faith with social and political activism.
#### Art as a Vehicle for Dialogue or Division?
The Nativity scene’s design, though briefly displayed, raises important questions about the intersection of art, faith, and politics. While Nativity scenes are traditionally focused on the narrative of Christ’s birth, the addition of cultural symbolism — such as the keffiyeh — inevitably shifts its focus toward contemporary global issues.
Supporters of the original display argue that art should provoke thought and expose viewers to broader humanitarian concerns. This aligns with Pope Francis’s previous statements on the necessity for global citizens to