In an Advent message Pope Francis recently sent to University of Bethlehem students, the Holy Father calls on them to entrust everything to Jesus and to always safeguard their "precious gift of faith."
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, concelebrated Christmas Eve Mass with Papal Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, at the Latin Cathedral in Kharkiv and, despite intense Russian bombings, then participated in the Christmas Day Divine Liturgy at the city's Greek Catholic Cathedral.
In light of the political and social challenges facing Guinea-Bissau, the Bishop of the Diocese of Bissau, Jose Lampra Cá, has urged Guinean Christians and the broader population to remain hopeful, prioritise peaceful coexistence and fraternity, particularly during this festive season.
Palestinian sources say at least 22 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Christmas Day.
During his Angelus address on the Feast of St. Stephen, the Holy Father renews Christmas wishes to the faithful, and, at the start of this Jubilee, appeals for remitting debt, disarmament, and to "stop colonizing people with weapons" that further perpetrates the wars plaguing the world.
During his Angelus address for the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, the Holy Father invites faithful to ask themselves whether they take interest in and pray for those being persecuted for their faith today.
In the Rebibbia New Complex Prison in Rome, Pope Francis opens a Holy Door and celebrates Mass for prisoners.
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 2024, at the beginning of the Jubilee of Hope, Vatican Radio has asked Catholic leaders for their reflections on the theme, “The peace of Christ in a war-torn world.” Today’s message comes from Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-Sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy.
The Community of Sant’Egidio prepares Christmas meals for 80,000 homeless, elderly, families in need, and refugees in Rome and 250,000 others around the world.
Wishing everyone a "a serene and blessed Christmas," Pope Francis celebrates the joy of this day on which we celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus, "the mystery that never ceases to amaze and move us." He underscores how "the door of God's heart is always open" and may we "be reconciled with God" and with one another for a world marked by peace and harmony.
Christmas can still be the happiest time of the year if we celebrate it genuinely. If we allow the authentic Christmas to happen, we can all still see the angels of Bethlehem and hear their sweet carol. We can all give glory to God and bring peace to men and women of goodwill on earth if we celebrate, like the shepherds, the happy news that God so loved the world and sent his only son to save all those who believe.
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica thereby officially inaugurating the 2025 Jubilee of Hope. He reassures during his Christmas evening Mass that the Christ Child of Bethlehem offers the world infinite hope and joy.
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 2024, at the beginning of the Jubilee of Hope, Vatican Radio has asked Catholic leaders for their reflections on the theme, “The peace of Christ in a war-torn world.” Today’s message comes from Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D., Archbishop of Tokyo and President of Caritas International.
Starting from the Holy Year of 1900, we retrace some key moments of the ceremonies for the opening of the Holy Door.
The Papal Almoner celebrates Mass in the city of Fastiv after opening a soup kitchen in the war-torn area of Ukraine.
Representing a unique model of coexistence and diversity in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, students of different faiths at the Catholic University in Erbil join together in an annual tradition of celebrating Christmas together.
For the first time in the Jubilee tradition, Pope Francis will open a fifth sacred portal in a Roman prison on 26 December, a gesture of hope that shows his ongoing closeness to detainees, which has been consistent throughout his pontificate.
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 2024, at the beginning of the Jubilee of Hope, Vatican Radio has asked Catholic leaders for their reflections on the theme, “The peace of Christ in a war-torn world.” Today’s message comes from Dominican Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe.
A new pedestrian area at the start of Via della Conciliazione, connecting Castel Sant’Angelo to St Peter’s Basilica, has been inaugurated ahead of the Jubilee, blending historic significance with modern design.
As Christmas approaches, the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia urge local leaders and the faithful to work towards peaceful coexistence in the country amid ongoing ethnic unrest and humanitarian crises.