2025-2026
THE PREFECT OF JUDAEA

The 36th Presepe nel Pozzo continued the cycle of narration of the “excluded,” in which the Nativity is recounted by characters who, for various reasons, were unable to witness it live.

In the 2025-2026 edition, we followed the story of Pontius Pilate and his search for truth through the dreams of his wife, the early Christian communities, the shepherds of Bethlehem, and the Magi.
“What is truth?” This is, in fact, the question that remained unanswered between the prefect of Judea and Jesus at the moment of their parting and which tormented him for the rest of his life.

Enigmas to be solved, gestures to be interpreted, in a quest that seems to lead away from the goal and ends unexpectedly, with Pilate well acquainted with the contemporary world of QR codes and artificial intelligence.

From December 23, 2025, to January 11, 2026

1. QVID EST VERITAS? “What is the truth?” This is the question to which that man named Jesus did not wish to answer. We looked at each other motionless, while he moved the first three fingers of his right hand as if spinning an invisible small ball.

2. I would have never believed that I, Pontius Pilate, the most famous prefect of Judaea, known for having interrogated and condemned hundreds of rebels, would have remained so troubled by that preacher who said he had come into the world to “bear witness to the truth”.

3. But what is the truth? Which is the correct point of view? Which truth is the right one? Mine, which saw in that Jesus nothing other than a poor exalted person without any fault? Or that of my wife Claudia, convinced that he was a saint to save at any cost? Or still the truth of the Sanhedrin, which wanted to condemn him as a dangerous blasphemer? Or perhaps the truth of the people, who, after having hailed him, shouted loudly “crucify him”?

4- “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty”
“Pilate had Jesus flogged to make him unrecognizable and to have another person crucified in his place. This is why some people saw him alive after Easter”
“Pontius Pilate did the only possible thing, deferring the decision to the people after having expressed his own opinion, it was the first example of democracy in the land of Judea”
“Pilate was a coward to wash his hands so as not to assume his own responsibilities, he was the only one who could save Jesus and he did not do it”
And you, which truth do you believe?

5. “ChrEstians”, thus they called the followers of Jesus. How many of them I sought and interrogated about this truth, without ever really arriving at the answer! Many of them had hung around their neck a strange square symbol containing five words.

6. That square was magical: it could be read from the right and from the left, from the top and from the bottom or in an alternating manner, always deriving the same sentence, of a peasant who was plowing a field. What did this have to do with Jesus? Could it help me to understand what the truth truly was? Surely, for you it would be simple, it would be enough for you to interrogate a search engine, or, even better, artificial intelligence: in a few seconds you would have solved the enigma.
PS: Confess, have you framed the useless “magical code” to notice that without an internet connection you are lost???

7. I went to look for the shepherds of Bethlehem who hastened to see Jesus just born. They told me that it had been an angelic voice to tell them where to go. They had to neither study nor search. Easy! But where were the angels when I had to save him from the cross? And why did they not show themselves during my search for the truth?

8. The Magi opened my eyes: as true mystery experts, they suggested I should mix, I should revolve, just like the planets and stars that were the subject of their studies. Thus, from the words of the magic square I derived two “PATER NOSTER”, that is, “Our Father”. Only two A’s and two O’s remained outside: two Alpha and two Omega, the beginning and the end. For you, a single question to a chatbot would have been enough to avoid months of research and frustrations. It took me years.

9. Here is what Jesus wanted to tell me with that gesture: revolve, mix, permute! “QVID EST VERITAS” became, without too much effort, “EST VIR QVI ADEST”, that is, “it is the man who stands before you”. Now everything was clear, as it had been for the shepherds, for the Magi, for the disciples and even for the pure heart of my wife Claudia: Jesus only wanted to tell me that he is the truth that breaks the fences and opens the cages, if only we have the will to welcome it. But in which sense can a man be the truth? It took me so long to understand it and even now I cannot manage to explain it to you. But I can try to make you see it.

10. I know, your artificial intelligence would have solved the anagram in some hundredth of a second. But would it have truly understood in what sense Jesus is truth? It was the tales of those who frequented him, or even just known him, or simply searched for him, that truly made me understand why Jesus is truth. The truth is not a piece of data, a percentage, a forecast. It does not allow itself to be anticipated by an algorithm or measured by an instrument. The truth is an encounter and Jesus is that encounter, that truth not to be known, but to be lived, in forgiveness, in compassion and in justice. It is Love that changes you deep down, that frees you from fear, from hate, from the thirst for revenge. That even makes you accept being crucified because of an idiot like me, who had the living embodiment of truth right in front of him and, instead of welcoming it, ignored it. To all of you, who have had the patience to listen to my story, I wish encounters, love and truth.
Yours, Pontivs Pilatvs

Curiosities

The sculpture by Moreno Biritognolo: enriching the exhibition is a wrought iron sculpture entitled “Liberazione” (Liberation), created in the workshop of Moreno Biritognolo, winner of the PIALLETTO D’ORO 2025 award, presented by CNA Orvieto to the artisan of the year.
TG1: in addition to numerous mentions in various newspapers, this edition also featured on RaiUno’s prime-time news program, with some preview images broadcast on the eve of the opening.
Musei in Rete: the nativity scene was set up as part of the events of the “Musei in Rete per il Territorio 2025” project, created with the contribution of the Umbria Region.

Concept – set design – character creation – graphics: Marco Sciarra | wrought iron sculpture: Moreno Biritognolo | animatronic characters: Andrea Giomaro | set design and props: Marco Sciarra – Francesca Montanari – Filippo Sciarra | faces, skin tones, and makeup: Andrea Giomaro – Samantha Rose-Harker – David Bracci – Sara Catanzaro – Carlo Diamantini – Special Makeup Studio – Creature Studios – Marco Sciarra | Translation assistance: Matteo Sciarra | Gallery photos: Federico Burla (& Co.)

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2025-2026THE PREFECT OF JUDAEA

Curiosities

2025-2026
THE PREFECT OF JUDAEA