Vatican Museums. And the Word became Flesh #8

Giovanni di Paolo (Siena ca. 1395/1400 - 1482), Nativity and the apparition to the shepherds; panel of a predella; ca. 1440; tempera on wood; 39.5 x 46.6 x 3 (detail); 漏 Musei Vaticani

VATICAN

鈥淭he depiction of Jesus鈥� birth is itself a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God.鈥� With these few words, Pope Francis captures the task that sacred art is called to do 鈥� to reveal the truth of the Good News through beauty. Each day of the Christmas Octave, the Vatican Museums and Pope will offer a masterpiece from the papal collections, accompanied by a reflection from the Popes.

Giovanni di Paolo (Siena ca. 1395/1400 - 1482), Nativity and the apparition to the shepherds; panel of a predella; ca. 1440; tempera on wood; 39.5 x 46.6 x 3 (detail); © Musei Vaticani

鈥淚 want to come to Bethlehem, Lord, because there you await me. I want to realize that you, lying in a manger, are the bread of my life. I need the tender fragrance of your love so that I, in turn, can be bread broken for the world. Take me upon your shoulders, Good Shepherd. Loved by you, I will be able to love my brothers and sisters and take them by the hand. Then it will be Christmas, when I can say to you: 鈥楲ord you know everything; you know that I love you鈥�.鈥�

Pope Francis 鈥� Christmas Midnight Mass Homily, 2018

Series Editor: Paolo Ondarza

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