40 Days for Life founder Shawn Carney praised a Vatican Nativity by Costa Rican artist Paula Sáenz Soto that uses 25,000 ribbons to symbolize infants the group says were saved from abortion this year. Pope Leo XIV blessed the display and called it a sign of "faith and hope," noting the ribbons represent lives aided by Catholic organizations. Carney described the installation as "inspiring," tied it to the pro‑life movement's mission, and forecast continued momentum for the cause.
Vatican Nativity Uses 25,000 Ribbons To Honor Babies 40 Days for Life Says Were 'Saved' — Founder Calls It 'Inspiring'
A nativity scene donated by Costa Rica, in which the Madonna is represented pregnant, in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican.
The Vatican's Christmas Nativity display — created by Costa Rican artist Paula Sáenz Soto and donated by Costa Rica — features thousands of colored ribbons that 40 Days for Life says represent more than 25,000 babies whose lives were spared from abortion through the group's outreach this year. The installation, set in the Vatican's audience hall, was personally blessed by Pope Leo XIV, who described it as a sign of "faith and hope."
Design And Message
The artist fashioned the straw in the manger from 25,000 individual ribbons, each intended to symbolize an infant the pro‑life group attributes to its campaigns of prayer, vigils and support for expectant mothers. The scene depicts a pregnant Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus, and was presented to Vatican donors during the Christmas decoration audience.
"It's really beautiful," said Shawn Carney, CEO and founder of the international pro‑life organization 40 Days for Life, in an interview with Fox News Digital. He called the display "inspiring" and praised the volunteers who participate in the group's efforts worldwide.
Papal Remarks
At the presentation, Pope Leo XIV said the Nativity reflected a sign of life and hope. According to the pontiff, each ribbon represented a life saved "from abortion thanks to the prayer and support provided by Catholic organizations to many mothers in need," and he thanked the artist while affirming that "life is protected from conception."
Ribbons representing lives saved from abortion according to Catholic organizations are seen on Nacimiento Gaudium, a Nativity scene set in the Paul VI Hall during an audience led by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
Pro‑Life Perspective
Carney framed the Nativity as central to both Catholic and broader Christian belief, arguing the incarnation — God becoming human through a womb and family — underscores the pro‑life cause. He linked the display to what he called a global moral crisis, citing the figure reported in the interview that roughly 72 million abortions occur worldwide each year and describing abortion as "the greatest moral crisis of our time." He also predicted continued momentum for the pro‑life movement after what he described as a historic 2025 and expressed optimism for 2026.
Carney further suggested Pope Leo XIV will be a more forceful pro‑life voice than some observers expected, saying the pontiff is "righting the ship" and offering clearer support than he perceived from Pope Francis.
Context And Attribution
All numerical claims about the number of "babies saved" are those of 40 Days for Life and were repeated by Carney in his interview. The Vatican's blessing of the display and the artist's donation remain factual elements of the presentation, while the interpretation and political implications of the artwork reflect pro‑life viewpoints expressed by Carney and supporters.
Why It Matters: The Nativity installation merges religious symbolism with contemporary political advocacy, drawing attention from religious communities and pro‑life activists around the world during the Christmas season.
