From Bethlehem to Gaza: Pope Francis urges reflection on wars during Christmas Mass | PHOTOS

On 25 December 2024, Christmas celebrations around the world took on a somber tone as Pope Francis opened the holiday with a solemn mass in the Vatican. In his Christmas Eve sermon, the Pope urged Christians to reflect on the devastating impacts of war, particularly the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. He highlighted the violence faced by innocent children, with images of bombed schools and hospitals, marking the holiday under the shadow of global unrest.

In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, Christmas celebrations were muted for the second consecutive year due to the continuing tensions in the region. Mayor Anton Salman explained that the city limited its festive displays, opting for modest decorations and fewer tourists due to the ongoing conflict. However, prayers and religious services, including the famed midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity, continued, with Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa offering words of hope and resilience after his visit to Gaza.

Christmas in Gaza brought an atmosphere of grief and despair as Christian residents observed the holiday amidst the backdrop of death and destruction. With no festive cheer, many Gazan Christians gathered at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius, seeking refuge and praying for peace. George al-Sayegh, a local resident, expressed the bleakness of the season: "There is no joy, no festive spirit."

Global Christmas celebrations marked by tragedy and solidarity

Elsewhere, Christmas in Germany was marked by solemnity following a deadly market attack, with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier calling for healing in the face of hate and violence. In Buenos Aires, thousands of homeless individuals were fed a Christmas dinner, as Argentina continues to battle widespread poverty. Meanwhile, in the United States, NORAD assured the public that Santa’s annual flight would not be affected by recent drone sightings, while in Paris, worshippers gathered at the Notre Dame Cathedral for the first Christmas Mass since the fire of 2019.

Despite the global challenges, Christmas celebrations continued with acts of solidarity, prayers, and reflections on peace. The message this year, in the face of war and poverty, was clear: the spirit of Christmas lies in resilience, hope, and unity.

Agency