In . – 12/25/2023 11:19 am (act. 12/25/2023 11:44 am)
Pope Francis will give the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing in his traditional Christmas message on December 25th at 12pm. ©Andreas SOLARO/AFP
On Christmas Day, at 12 noon, Pope Francis will read the traditional Christmas message in the Vatican.
From the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the head of the approximately 1.3 billion Catholics gives the blessing Urbi et Orbi, that is, to the city and the world. Francis is expected to condemn wars in the world. This year the festival is particularly influenced by the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Tens of thousands of faithful are expected in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Francis gives Urbi et Orbi blessing
In his Christmas message last year, Francis unsuccessfully called for an end to the “senseless war” in Ukraine. This year, in addition to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Christmas will also be overshadowed by the war between Israel and radical Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Silent Christmas in the Holy Land
Christmas will be celebrated very discreetly in the Holy Land this year because of the war in Gaza between Israel and Islamic Hamas. In Bethlehem, in the West Bank – according to tradition, the birthplace of Jesus Christ – there are almost no tourists, contrary to usual. There were no Christmas trees. Access to the city is extremely restricted by Israeli army roadblocks. There are also practically no Christmas decorations in Jerusalem. In Israel and the Palestinian territories, Christians are a very small minority.