Pope defends nativity scenes from school bans

VATICAN CITY, Dec 20 (Reuters) Pope Benedict, speaking after controversy in Italy over the decision by some schools and shops to scrap nativity scenes, today said Christmas creches were part of Christian culture that had to be defended.

''I hope that such an important element of our spirituality, but even of our culture and our art continues to be a simple and eloquent way of remembering (Christ's birth),'' he said at his weekly general audience.

In recent weeks, several state schools in Italy have decided not to erect the traditional nativity scene, featuring figures of the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, animals and three kings bearing gifts. Some shops decided not to sell them, saying they were not popular or did not fit their image.

As Italy's population becomes more multicultural, some schools have decided to scrap the nativity scene and some Christmas carols in the name of secularism and minority rights.

But even Italy's education minister, Giuseppe Fioroni, has criticised such schools, saying they had gone too far in banning nativity scenes which could instead be used as tools for inter-religious dialogue.

The Vatican builds a larger-than-life nativity scene in St.

Peter's Square every Christmas season.

Reuters SY GC2123