Christmas

The Latest

Despite an online petition posted to change.org in mid-October that garnered over 53,000 signatures in protest of the evergreen to be used for the Vatican Christmas tree being chopped down, the tree arrived as scheduled in St. Peter’s Square at 7 a.m. on Nov. 21, 2024.

Vatican Christmas tree wreathed in controversy over environmental objections

Nov 21, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

An online petition posted to change.org in mid-October garnered over 53,000 signatures in protest of the evergreen being chopped down. Read more

Standing 100 feet tall, the Christmas Star overlooks the little town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (aka “Christmas City, USA”).

O Little Town of Bethlehem… Pennsylvania? The story of ‘Christmas City USA’

Dec 25, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Perhaps the most famous town called Bethlehem in the U.S. is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a town of 75,000, just a short... Read more

Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the night of Dec. 24, 2023.

Full text: Pope Francis’ homily for Christmas 2023

Dec 24, 2023

By Pope Francis

“A census of the whole earth” (cf. Lk 2:1). This was the context in which Jesus was born, and the... Read more

Pope Francis takes a figure of the Christ child in his arms at the end of the Vatican's Mass for the Nativity of the Lord on Dec. 24, 2023.

Pope Francis’ Christmas Mass: Jesus was born to save the world

Dec 24, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis shared a message in his Christmas homily for anyone who may be feeling sad or discouraged. Read more

Pope Francis gives his Angelus address on Dec. 24, 2023.

Pope Francis: Do not confuse Christmas with consumerism

Dec 24, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope asked people to think of which lonely or needy people could be comforted by their friendship during the... Read more

A scene from the "Silent Night" Christmas video from the Diocese of Lansing.

Christmas video by Lansing Diocese highlights Eucharistic adoration, story of ‘Silent Night’

Dec 24, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The creator and producer of the video, Matt Riedl, hopes “to convey truth, beauty, and goodness” in this year’s Christmas... Read more

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Yes, you need to go to Mass twice this weekend — for Sunday and for Christmas

Dec 22, 2023

By Mary Farrow

The fourth Sunday of Advent falls on Christmas Eve. That means the faithful must attend two Masses in a row... Read more

A bag of coffee from Religious Roast.

Christmas 2023: Best Catholic gifts for the hard-to-shop-for person this year

Dec 15, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

This list of unique Catholic gifts is sure to have something for anyone on your list this year. Read more

For Advent 2023, Blessed Is She created a devotional for women called "Found."

Advent 2023: 5 Catholic resources to help prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus

Dec 2, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

With the hustle and bustle of holiday festivities, it’s easy to lose track of what truly makes this time of... Read more

Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2022.

Here are Pope Francis’ liturgies for Christmas 2023 at the Vatican

Nov 28, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

As the season of Advent draws near, the Vatican has published the schedule of Pope Francis’ liturgies for Christmas through... Read more

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Target doesn’t shy away from controversy with sale of ‘Pride Nutcracker’

Nov 17, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

“Bring uplifting flair to your holiday decor with this Pride Nutcracker Figurine from Wondershop™,” a description of the product says. Read more

Pope Francis visits the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square following vespers on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 2022.

Christmas 2023 at the Vatican: Nativity to recall St. Francis’ first-ever manger scene

Oct 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Christmas 2023 Nativity scene at the Vatican will evoke the first-ever live manger, the Vatican said Monday. Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, on Dec. 9, 2022

Ukrainian Catholics will now celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 in a shift toward the West

Feb 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church announced Monday that it is switching its fixed-date religious celebrations to match the Gregorian calendar. Read more

A mom receives a donation of free gifts at ABC Pregnancy Resource Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Pro-life pregnancy centers bring ‘happy tears’ this Christmas for women and families

Dec 29, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Pro-life pregnancy centers provided women with a Christmas they will never forget. Read more

Christian devotees attend a prayer service at Sacred Heart Cathedral to celebrate Christmas in Lahore, Pakistan, on Dec. 25, 2021.

Christians in Pakistan celebrate Christmas amid heightened security

Dec 28, 2022

By Aftab Alexander Mughal

For the last few weeks, law enforcement agencies put into place comprehensive security arrangements for church services held on Christmas. Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" address on Dec. 25, 2022.

Full text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2022

Dec 25, 2022

By Pope Francis

The following is the full text of the pope’s Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” address delivered from the central balcony overlooking... Read more

With a cane in his right hand, 86-year-old Pope Francis delivers his 10th Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Dec. 25, 2022.

On Christmas Day, Pope Francis prays for Prince of Peace to end ‘third world war’

Dec 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 25, the pope offered the traditional “Urbi et Orbi”... Read more

Pope Francis speaking to the Roman Curia at the Vatican, Dec. 22, 2022

Pope Francis to Roman Curia: Be vigilant against ‘the evil that quietly lurks among us’

Dec 22, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis warned the Roman Curia on Thursday that they need to be vigilant in the face of temptation by... Read more

Pope Francis arriving at the general audience at the Vatican, Dec. 14, 2022

This is why Pope Francis wants you to spend less money this Christmas

Dec 14, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis is inviting everyone to have “a more humble Christmas” this year. Read more

Father David Michael Moses takes part in UST MAX Studios Great, Big Christmas Show.

Celebrate the joy of the season with ‘The Great Big Christmas Show’

Dec 10, 2022

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Join Father David Michael Moses and other Catholic social media personalities on Dec. 12 for this livestreamed Christmas variety show. Read more