The comments about the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square this year have been myriad and, while I have not done a scientific survey, I feel safe in saying that the overwhelming majority of comments have been negative, perplexed, questioning and very critical. If you have been on social media, you know how people feel!

I am sure that is what forced the Vatican to write this story today and try to put some good face on the statues that have been variously described as astronauts, space beings and other various descriptions. The title of the Jesuit magazine America’s story on the presepio was “Why is Darth Vader in the Vatican Nativity Scene?”

I have not been to St. Peter’s Square since Friday when the tree and presepio were inaugurated. The first photo I saw was one on Liz Lev’s twitter account where she wrote: “I wonder what St Francis…