2023-12-23 20:35:47
Overshadowed by the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the war between Israel and the radical Islamic Hamas, Christians all over the world will be celebrating Christmas from Sunday. Pope Francis celebrates the traditional Christmas mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. As in previous years, it starts at 7:30 p.m. On Monday, the Holy Father proclaims his Christmas message from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica and gives the traditional blessing “Urbi et Orbi”.
In Bethlehem in the West Bank, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, also holds the traditional midnight mass. However, in view of the war between Israel and Hamas, the city council and church representatives have decided to forego “unnecessarily festive” Christmas celebrations. The usual rush of visitors in Bethlehem is also missing.
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