VATICAN City – A fragment of wood believed to have formed part of Jesus’ manger is set to be returned to Bethlehem after over 1,000 years in Europe.
Pope Francis ordered the return of the thumb-sized relic from Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore as a gift.
The relic had been in Rome since the 7th Century.
It was briefly put on display in Jerusalem before continuing its journey to Bethlehem to coincide with the start of Christmas celebrations there.
Officials said it would now be kept in the Franciscan Church of St. Catherine, next to the Church of the Nativity, where tradition says Jesus was born.
While most of it has remained in Rome, the return of the small fragment was widely celebrated by Christians in the region.(BBC)
