Catholic News
Christmas 2023: May the Lord's birth inspire peacemaking and respect
The birth of Jesus is the most powerful sign and message of hope in a world darkened by the shadows of fear and uncertainty. For Christmas 2023, Vatican Radio has asked religious leaders and heads of Christian charitable organizations for their reflections on the theme, “The Lord’s birth is the birth of peace.” Today’s message comes from Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop for the Military Services.
Russia admits warship hit in turbulent Christmas
Russia has admitted that one of its warships was hit in a Ukrainian attack on a Black Sea port in Russian-occupied Crimea early Tuesday, killing at least one person. The strike on the peninsula comes after Ukraine celebrated its first Christmas Day under a new calendar amid ongoing clashes.
Pope Francis prays for an end to religious persecution
On the Feast of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, Pope Francis says he is “close to the Christian communities that suffer discrimination”, and prays for peace in Syria, Gaza, and Ukraine.
Archbishop Lompo prays for a New Year of peace and security in Niger.
The Archbishop of Niamey in Niger, Archbishop Djalwana Laurent Lompo, says he hopes that 2024 will be a year of peace and security for his country and urges all Nigeriens, regardless of religion, to be faithful to God.
Ecuador: Alausí in need of aid and hope after landslide
In the mountain town of Alausí, in Ecuador, the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales run a school, though everything has changed since a landslide on 26 March, with Austrian Sr. Klara-Maria Falzberger regularly visiting the town to bring essential goods and hope.
Pope at Angelus: Christian witness leads to changed hearts, miracles of faith
Pope Francis leads the midday Angelus prayer on the Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr, the day after Christmas, recalling his heroic witness to Jesus that planted the seed of faith in others, transforming hearts and working miracles of faith.
The Angels Sang Peace
"Representing the event of the birth of Jesus is equivalent to announcing the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God with simplicity and joy." As Pope Francis recalls, the birth of Jesus has inspired generations of artists who, over the centuries, have evangelized through beauty. To experience the Christmas season, the Vatican Museums and Vatican News propose a masterpiece from the pontifical collections accompanied by the words of the Popes.
Christmas 2023: In Jesus we see who we are called to be
The birth of Jesus is the most powerful sign and message of hope in a world darkened by the shadows of fear and uncertainty. For Christmas 2023, Vatican Radio has asked religious leaders and heads of Christian charitable organizations for their reflections on the theme, “The Lord’s birth is the birth of peace.” Today’s message comes from Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, SDB, of Perth, President of the Australian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Pizzaballa in Bethlehem: May Christ be born anew in this land!
At the Midnight Mass in Bethlehem, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem speaks about the horrors of the war ravaging the Holy Land, affecting both Palestinians and Israelis. But his gaze fixes especially on the tragedy afflicting the inhabitants of Gaza and the Palestinians, who seem to have no place in their own land.
Pope: May Christmas bring peace to our world and turn sorrow into joy
In his Christmas message at the midday "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Christmas Day, Pope Francis speaks of how the child Jesus reveals God's tender love for each one of us that brings about "the joy that consoles hearts, renews hope and bestows peace." He prays for world peace and calls for every effort to stop violence and help those suffering.
Christmas 2023: Finding peace through dialogue and human dignity
The birth of Jesus is the most powerful sign and message of hope in a world darkened by the shadows of fear and uncertainty. For Christmas 2023, Vatican Radio has asked religious leaders and heads of Christian charitable organizations for their reflections on the theme, “The Lord’s birth is the birth of peace.” Today’s Message comes from Msgr Robert Vitillo, Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration Commission.
The Most High Made Little for Us
"Representing the event of the birth of Jesus is equivalent to announcing the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God with simplicity and joy." As Pope Francis recalls, the birth of Jesus has inspired generations of artists who, over the centuries, have evangelized through beauty. To experience the Christmas season, the Vatican Museums and Vatican News propose a masterpiece from the pontifical collections accompanied by the words of the Popes.
Pope at Christmas Mass: Let us fix our eyes on the True God
Pope Francis presides at the Christmas Mass during the Night in St Peter’s Basilica and in his homily says the wonder of Christmas is "the unprecedented tenderness of a God who saves the world by becoming incarnate. Let us contemplate the Child, let us contemplate the manger, his crib, which the angels call 'a sign' for us."
Israel vows to continue Gaza bombardment
As the UN calls for more aid for Gaza, the Israeli military vows to continue its campaign in Gaza but admits fighting is difficult.
Christmas in Ukraine overshadowed by Russian attacks
Pope Francis expresses his closeness to “our brothers and sisters suffering due to war,” including the people of Ukraine. His comments came as the war-torn nation faces a turbulent Christmas, with Russian shelling and drone attacks reportedly claiming the lives of at least four people.
Cardinal Pizzaballa prays for an end to the violence and dialogue to prevail
In a Christmas message sent exclusively to Vatican News and L'Osservatore Romano, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem calls for recognizing each other as brothers and sisters, as we remember the meaning of God who became flesh and dwelt among us. He urges dialogue, reconciliation, forgiveness and friendship. And it is necessary to "look to the horizion and see God's work being done."
A Christmas without war and hunger.
It is still right to say if we did not have Christmas, we would have had to invent it today. With all the strife conflict, bloodshed, hunger, suffering, abuse and injustice all around, the world needs Christmas, not every year but every day.
Pope: At Christmas, we are close to brothers and sisters suffering from war
Pope Francis expresses his closeness to victims of war, and urges the faithful to avoid consumerism at Christmas, and to celebrate the birth of Jesus without waste, by sharing what we have with those in need.
Pope at Angelus: Open your hearts to God's love, show kindness to all
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis encourages us to open our hearts to God's loving kindness and to respond to His call to be gentle, respectful, and caring for others.
Christmas 2023: Light of Bethlehem shines amidst darkness of history
The birth of Jesus is the most powerful sign and message of hope in a world darkened by the shadows of fear and uncertainty. For Christmas 2023, Vatican Radio has asked religious leaders and heads of Christian charitable organizations for their reflections on the theme, “The Lord’s birth is the birth of peace.” Today’s Message comes from Fr Francesco Patton, OFM, the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land