The Vatican will soon display a historic nativity scene with an explicitly pro-life focus, celebrating tens of thousands of children saved from abortion. The presentation, titled Nacimiento Gaudium (“Joyful Birth”), was created by Costa Rican sacred artist Paula Senoto with contributions from the international prayer movement 40 Days for Life. It will be placed inside the Paul VI Audience Hall and blessed by Pope Leo XIV during a ceremony on December 15, according to LifeSiteNews.
Unlike traditional creches, Senoto’s design incorporates over 25,000 ribbons in place of straw — each ribbon symbolizing one of the babies reportedly spared from abortion through 40 Days for Life campaigns. LifeSiteNews reports that the display “will remain on display through the Christmas season and for the closing of the Jubilee Year of Hope.”
The nativity will also feature an unusual and striking element: a depiction of the Virgin Mary visibly pregnant until Christmas Day. According to LifeSiteNews, on December 25 the figure will be replaced with a statue of Mary adoring the newborn Christ Child, emphasizing “that Our Lord was here as a child” and that His human life began in the womb.
Senoto said she wanted a setting where the cry for unborn life would be heard by the world. “This (nativity scene) has to be something that the whole world knows about,” she said in an interview cited by LifeSiteNews. “And I asked myself, ‘What place will this cry of babies to the world be heard the most? Well, the Vatican.’” She added, “This is the biggest pro-life rallying cry that will ever be heard from the Vatican,” according to LifeSiteNews.
Originally scheduled to be displayed in 2027 under Pope Francis, the artwork was moved forward to 2025 by Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate just months ago. LifeSiteNews notes that Nacimiento Gaudium will be the first nativity blessed by Pope Leo during his reign.
Senoto believes the timeline was accelerated by God in response to violence and rising cultural confusion about the dignity of unborn life. She said, “This year, several events have occurred, a lot of violence… the deaths of certain people who have defended life,” according to LifeSiteNews. She also expressed concern that “many Catholics… have appeared in videos where they defend abortion,” adding, “I feel that (the pro-life message) is something that needs to be communicated very clearly, and we need to pray a lot and get down on our knees.”
Reflecting on the years of pro-life efforts, she credited God with saving lives through persistent witness and prayer. “Of course, we have years in this fight… and thank God abortion clinics have been closed, many lives have been saved,” she said. But she emphasized that this moment carries particular urgency. “I feel that especially this year (with all the violence) something moved God’s heart and He said: ‘This has to be done now,’” she said, as quoted by LifeSiteNews.
The unveiling stands in sharp contrast to several Vatican nativity scenes in recent years that drew criticism or confusion from the faithful. LifeSiteNews recalled that the 2017 “Nativity of Mercy” included depictions that were considered troubling by many, and that the 2020 nativity featured figures some observers found “unrecognizable.” Those past displays sparked debate across the Catholic world, sharpening anticipation for this year’s return to a distinctly life-affirming message.
The pro-life nativity is expected to draw pilgrims and visitors throughout the Christmas season, offering a visible reminder of the Church’s teaching on the dignity of every huma
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