Pope: There Were No Animals at Birth of Jesus

You seem to have difficulty in reading comprehension or are deliberately attempting to be contentious. The pope's ghost writers could have and simply should have said what they meant to say without the double speak. Their intention seems to be to create a controversy with the Magi issue and with the animals not being around the manger.

Why?

To sell more books, why else. It certainly wasn't to clarify.
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To repeat:

From your link, the pope writes:

"the adoration on the part of the Magi does not touch upon any essential aspect of the faith. It could be a creation of Matthew, inspired by a theological idea: in this case, nothing would fall apart.

Afterward, the pope contradicts himself by writing:

Pope Ratzinger [sic] continues, "arrives at the conviction that these are historical events

So, the pope first writes that the adoration of the Magi "could be a creation of Matthew" and then he goes on to write that "these (adoration of the Magi) are historical events."

How does the Holy Father contradict himself?

He merely presents two views, then declares which view he holds.

From your link, the pope writes:

"the adoration on the part of the Magi does not touch upon any essential aspect of the faith. It could be a creation of Matthew, inspired by a theological idea: in this case, nothing would fall apart.

Afterward, the pope contradicts himself by writing:

Pope Ratzinger [sic] continues, "arrives at the conviction that these are historical events

So, the pope first writes that the adoration of the Magi "could be a creation of Matthew" and then he goes on to write that "these (adoration of the Magi) are historical events."



Plus, the pope's opinion that nativity scenes are "getting it wrong" because they include animals is a most bizarre statement.

Actually the Holy Father is of the opinion that the visit of the Magi is indeed a historical event.

From chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350367

"Before the book was released, the biggest question was about how Benedict XVI would reply to the question of whether the virgin birth, the adoration of the Magi, and the other accounts of the childhood of Jesus, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, are "history that really happened" or instead "only a theological meditation expressed in the form of stories."

The author inclines decisively toward the first of the two answers. But without denying citizenship in the Church for the second position.

At the end of the chapter on the Magi, Benedict XVI agrees with what Jean Daniélou wrote in "Les Évangiles de l'Enfance":
"Unlike the account of the annunciation to Mary, the adoration on the part of the Magi does not touch upon any essential aspect of the faith. It could be a creation of Matthew, inspired by a theological idea: in this case, nothing would fall apart.
"Daniélou himself, however," Pope Ratzinger continues, "arrives at the conviction that these are historical events whose significance has been interpreted theologically by the Judeo-Christian community and by Matthew."

And he continues:
"To put it simply: this is also my conviction.""

Common sense tells us that people in these times obviously had animals for transportation, extracting water, and as a food source. Were the mules, oxen, and lambs suddenly herded away from town centers and stables? And just because not all events are recorded in the gospels does not necessarily mean they didn't happen. Sure it could be possible that there were no animal in the stable during our Lord's delivery but I find it odd that the Pope would make a point of it. Also, regarding the wise men. It is just his opinion and he has no evidence to refute that the story was mere fable. When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. [Matthew 2:1] [Latin] [2] Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him. [3] And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. [5] But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:
Doesn't sound like a theological concept to me.

Are we to believe that no one before the present pope interpreted the the Holy Bible correctly??
Does this mean more idiotic changes?

As long as it is certain that "the virgin conception of Jesus is definitely historical fact and not a myth", what do we do about the new "chief" of CDF and his erroneous belief and teaching of the virginity of Our Blessed Mother. WHY WAS HE SELECTED????

Apocalypse now..... WE CAN'T TAKE ANYMORE!!!!!

A very tired Roman Catholic

The issue is whether or not the pope was acccurate in January of 2012 when he clearly indicated that the Magi did come or whether he is accurate in his recent book when he refers to their appearance as a "theological idea" instead of a historical event.

In addition, the infant Christ was laid in a manger (at least that hasn't been changed...yet) 12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.

Are we now to believe that there were no animals surrounding, in the vicinity of, or lingering about the stable and the Manger? What is the thought process that would lead anyone to come to that unusual (to say the least) conclusion?

but in January 2012, HH said this about the Wise Men...

Who were the Tree Wise Men? The pope explains

“Why did the Magi set off from afar to go to Bethlehem? The answer has to do with the mystery of the "star" which they saw "in the East" and which they recognized as the star of the "King of the Jews", that is to say, the sign of the birth of the Messiah (cf. Mt 2:2).

So their journey was inspired by a powerful hope, strengthened and guided by the star, which led them towards the King of the Jews, towards the kingship of God himself. This is the meaning behind our journey: to serve the kingship of God in the world.

The Magi set out because of a deep desire which prompted them to leave everything and begin a journey. It was as though they had always been waiting for that star. It was as if the journey had always been a part of their destiny, and was finally about to begin. Dear friends, this is the mystery of God’s call, the mystery of vocation.