When asked by Catholic media, the church does not offer a reason for taking down display created by Palestinian artists and dedicated by pope The post Vatican nativity scene showing baby Jesus on a keffiyeh removed after backlash appeared first on The Times of Israel.

The Nativity scene, crafted by two Palestinian artists, drew online criticism about the headscarf’s inclusion from pro-Israel entities.

Pope Francis presided over his weekly general audience Wednesday alongside a Palestinian-crafted Nativity scene that was missing its eyebrow-raising signature element: a keffiyeh-draped manger holding the infant Jesus.

Pope Francis unveiled on Saturday the annual nativity scene at the Vatican, which this year featured baby Jesus draped in a Palestinian keffiyeh.

Pope Francis created an uproar when he was seen with a controversial nativity scene at the Vatican over the weekend. The wooden display showed the baby Jesus lying on a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf. The 87-year-old pontiff was seen on Saturday afternoon praying before the nativity display while sitting in a wheelchair.

A stature of the Baby Jesus and a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf have disappeared from the Vatican's 'presepe' or Nativity Scene in the Paul VI Room, Vatican News reported Wednesday. The nativity scene was donated by the Palestinian community of Bethlehem and has spurred criticism from some in the Jewish world.