General

Celebrations are taking place in the West Bank as a delicate truce continues in the Gaza Strip, where many people are spending winter in temporary tents and urgently need basic help. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who just returned from visiting the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza—the only Catholic parish in the area—started the Christmas festivities in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, by leading the traditional procession from Jerusalem. When he reached Manger Square, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem shared messages from the small Christian community in Gaza, emphasizing their strong desire to rebuild. He also expressed hopes for a Christmas filled with light.