Christmas

The Latest

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

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address at the Vatican, Jan. 2, 2022.

Pope Francis at the Angelus: God wants to live with us and in us

Jan 2, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope was speaking at the Sunday Angelus. Read more

Pope Francis gives his Christmas ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing Dec. 25, 2021.

Full text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2021

Dec 25, 2021

By Pope Francis

The pope prayed for peace in conflict zones around the world. Read more

Pope Francis gives his Christmas ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing Dec. 25, 2021.

Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2021: Pope Francis asks world leaders to be open to dialogue

Dec 25, 2021

By CNA Staff

He spoke from the central balcony overlooking a rainy St. Peter’s Square. Read more

Pope Francis offers Mass for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

Pope Francis’ Christmas Mass: ‘God comes into the world in littleness’

Dec 24, 2021

By Courtney Mares

In his Christmas homily, Pope Francis asked Christians to contemplate that God did not choose to come into the world... Read more

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Christmas falls on a Saturday this year. What does that mean for Mass obligations? 

Dec 21, 2021

By CNA Staff

This weekend, Latin rite Catholics have an obligation to attend Mass on both Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, and on... Read more

A Posada in San Felipe, Mexico, on Dec. 19, 2021.

Piñatas, Posadas and other Christ-centered Mexican Christmas traditions

Dec 21, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Here’s what happens during the 9-day Mexican Christmas tradition called ‘las Posadas.’ Read more

Giotto's Nativity fresco projected on the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

Assisi is illuminated with Giotto’s frescoes this Christmas season

Dec 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Assisi debuted its Giotto Christmas light display in December 2020, but Italy’s coronavirus restrictions last year prevented people from visiting. Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2020.

10 things that Pope Francis wants us to learn from the nativity scene

Dec 17, 2021

By CNA Staff

The tradition was born in an unassuming town in 1223. Read more

Advent calendar

The best Catholic Advent calendars for 2021

Nov 17, 2021

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Here’s a list of our favorite Advent calendars to bring the Nativity story to your family, and hopefully create cherished... Read more

Seminarians of the FSSP's International Seminary of St. Peter.

'Sancta Nox' album of Christmas Matins debuts at #1 on Billboard Traditional Classical Albums chart

Oct 8, 2021

By Autumn Jones

On Sept. 28, a community of seminarians from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter’s European seminary released an album of... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. YouTube screenshot.

‘May the Savior wipe away every tear’: Ukrainian Greek Catholic leader issues Christmas message

Jan 7, 2021

The leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church urged his flock Wednesday to set aside “fear and sorrow” as they... Read more