The exhibition is the second in a series of the museum’s annual Christmas in Miniature exhibitions. As with last year’s exhibit of “Crèches from Around the World,” the Nativity scenes fills three large galleries. The exhibit tells the story of the late pope’s keen interest in the three-dimensional re-creation of the birth of Jesus Christ.

In 1982, Pope John Paul II instituted a tradition in St Peter’s Square by displaying a larger-than-life-sized Nativity scene in front of the obelisk each year. While the actual St Peter’s Square crèches are too large to be exhibited, the Knights of Columbus Museum exhibition contains a number of the study models that were used to build those exterior works of art. Some are as large as nine feet wide and can be viewed from all sides.

As a further tribute to Pope John Paul II, Polish szopkas (Nativity scenes) from his home diocese of Kraków are also being shown, including the silver szopka that the pope kept close to him on his desk.

The exhibit is running concurrently with the museum’s sixth annual Christmas Tree Festival, in which local school children decorate Christmas trees. Children from across Connecticut participated in the display of ornaments they created while in class. Each school was assigned a museum-supplied artificial tree to decorate. This year’s ornament theme was “Christmas in The Vatican.”

On December 2, the opening day of the exhibition, the awards were handed out to many of the trees. Honors included Best Tribute to Pope John Paul II, Best Use of Angels, Most International Tree, Most Original Madonnas, Best Christmas Theme, Most Sparkly Tree and Most Original Tree Topper.

Both collections are on view until January 31.

Also showing is a second Vatican exhibit, “The Swiss Guard: Celebrating 500 Years of Papal Service,” featuring priceless artifacts from the world’s oldest military organization. This exhibition is on view until June 30.

The Swiss Guard was created in the 16th Century to protect the Vatican and the pope at a time when it was not uncommon for rampaging armies to attack and pillage European cities. During its 500-year history, the Vatican has amassed many important and historical objects related to the Swiss Guard that will be shown for the first time in the United States. Additional items from museums in Italy, Switzerland, Austria and other European countries will also be on display.

The Knights of Columbus Museum is at 1 State Street in downtown New Haven. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.

(The museum will close at 3 pm on Sunday, December 24; remain closed on Monday, December 26; and then will be open on Tuesday, December 26, from 10 am until 5 pm.)

Admission and parking are free. Call 203-865-0400 or visit KofC.org/museum for additional information.