Pope Francis used Christmas Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica as a reminder of peace. Referring to the war in the Middle East, Francis said: “Our hearts are tonight in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is still repelled by the doomed logic of war, by the noise of weapons.”
The head of the approximately 1.3 billion Catholics recalled the Christmas message ‘Peace on earth for men’ during the service in the Vatican on Sunday evening.
This year the festival is mainly influenced by the wars in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine.
7,000 people celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica
About 7,000 people attended the service in St. Peter’s Basilica, according to the Vatican. In addition, the events on St. Peter’s Square in front of the church were watched by thousands on large screens. On Monday, Pope Francis will pronounce the Urbi et Orbi blessing for the city and the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Hardly any tourists at the birthplace of Jesus Christ
Christmas is being celebrated very quietly this year in the Holy Land due to the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamic Hamas. In Bethlehem on the West Bank – according to tradition the birthplace of Jesus Christ – there are hardly any tourists, contrary to normal. There were no Christmas trees.
Access to the city is extremely limited due to Israeli army roadblocks.
Source: Krone
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