12/23/2023 9:30 pm (current 12/23/2023 9:30 pm)
Light of peace of Bethlehem ©APA/dpa
Overshadowed by the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the war between Israel and radical Islamist Hamas, Christians around the world will celebrate Christmas from Sunday. Pope Francis celebrates the traditional Christmas mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. As in previous years, it starts at 7:30 pm. On Monday, the Holy Father proclaims his Christmas message on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica and gives the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing.
In Bethlehem, in the West Bank, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, also celebrates the traditional midnight mass. However, in light of the war between Israel and Hamas, the city council and Church representatives decided to forego the “unnecessarily festive” Christmas celebrations. The usual rush of visitors to Belém is also missing.