Pope Francis prays in front of the Nativity scene during the General Audience in the Paul VI Hall of Vatican City, December 11st, 2024.

Pope Francis prays in front of the nativity scene during the General Audience in the Paul VI Hall of Vatican City on Dec. 11. Photo: Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

The Church of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin is pictured after being heavily damaged by Russian artillery on July 28, 2024 in Novoeconomichne, Donetsk region, Frontline, Ukraine.

The Church of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin is pictured after being heavily damaged by Russian artillery on July 28 in Ukraine's Donetsk region. Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images

Divers placing underwater the traditional Christmas Nativity Scene inside the shark tank of the aquarium in the Zoo of Madrid in Spain as part of the Christmas celebrations. Photos: Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images

People observe the traditional Christmas lights in Medellin, Colombia, on November 28, 2024. This year's theme is a giant Nativity scene that will participate in the Guinness World Records.

People observe the traditional Christmas lights in Medellin, Colombia. This year's theme is a giant Nativity scene that will participate in the Guinness World Records. Photo: Jaime Saldarriaga/AFP via Getty Images

A woman photographs the largest sand nativity scene in Germany. The nativity scene, built with almost 30 tons of sand, was created by hand by Jirí Kapar from Prague. Photo: Armin Weigel/picture alliance via Getty Images

Children visit the Christmas crib or nativity scene displayed outside a church ahead of Christmas celebrations in Hyderabad, India. Photo: Noah Seelam/AFP ia Getty Images

The names of the main figures in the nativity scene are displayed on wooden posts in the design nativity scene on the pier in the Baltic seaside resort of Binz on the island of Rügen. Photo: Stefan Sauer/picture alliance via Getty Images

Children look at a nativity scene during the inauguration of the Buen Corazon Christmas Square in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Photo: Orlando Sierra/AFP via Getty Images

Two figures of the Virgin of Guadalupe and various items for the Christmas season and the Posadas are at a stand installed in the Tlalpan Center in Mexico City. Photo: Jose Luis Torales/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Contestants present their handcrafted Nativity Scene at Krakow's Main Square during the 82nd Nativity Scene Contest in Krakow, Poland. Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

In photos: Nativity scenes amid global uncertainty

What to read next