Christmas

The Latest

Pope Francis meets with the artists of the Christmas Concert Dec. 12, 2020.

Pope Francis: Art which transmits truth and beauty gives joy

Dec 12, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

When truth and beauty are transmitted in art, it fills the heart with joy and hope, Pope Francis told a... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Dec. 25, 2019.

Pope Francis to offer Midnight Mass at 7:30pm

Dec 10, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ Midnight Mass will begin at 7:30 p.m. this year, as the Italian government extends a national curfew through... Read more

Child standing in front of ruined building in Syria.

Remember Syrians this Christmas

Dec 9, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Do not forget the suffering Christians in Syria, a member of a pontifical aid foundation implored officials from the U.S.,... Read more

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the day after a massive fire damaged parts of the roof and structure in April 2019.

Notre-Dame choir to return to fire-damaged cathedral for Christmas concert

Dec 4, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Notre-Dame Cathedral choir will return to the damaged cathedral on Christmas Eve to perform a concert that will be broadcast... Read more

A detail from the monumental Nativity scene of the Castelli.

Vatican Christmas display to be ‘a sign of hope’ during pandemic

Nov 3, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican announced the details of the 2020 edition of the annual Christmas display in St. Peter’s Square, intended to... Read more

The Vatican Christmas Cookbook.

Former Swiss Guard releases Catholic Christmas cookbook

Oct 27, 2020

A new cookbook offers recipes, some more than 1,000 years old, that have been served at the Vatican during the... Read more

New children's book spins Christmas tale about spiders

Oct 16, 2020

There is an ancient legend about Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and a spider.  Read more

Stock image via Shutterstock

Christmas comes early in Indiana with nativity scene court case

Aug 7, 2020

An Indiana town is defending its Christmas display in court this summer, after a traveller through the area claimed she... Read more

Carolers gather outside Melbourne Assessment Prison on Christmas Eve, 2019.

Christmas Eve carolers for Cardinal Pell gathered at Melbourne prison

Dec 26, 2019

By Ed Condon

A group of local Catholics gathered outside Melbourne prison on Christmas Eve to sing carols for Cardinal George Pell.  Read more

Pope Francis gives the Angelus address during Advent 2016.

St. Stephen's martyrdom shows 'true meaning of Christmas,' Pope Francis says

Dec 26, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The death of St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, teaches Catholics to renew their commitment to charity and self-gift, part... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the center loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica Dec. 25, 2019.

Pope Francis on Christmas: Christ's light is greater than the darkness of world's conflicts

Dec 25, 2019

By Courtney Mares

On Christmas, Pope Francis prayed for Christ to bring light to the instability in Iraq, Lebanon, Venezuela, Yemen, Ukraine, Burkina... Read more

Pope Francis uncovers the Child Jesus in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2019.

Sinner or saint – God loves you, Pope Francis says on Christmas Eve

Dec 24, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

A person’s weakness and sin does not change Christ’s love for them, and Catholics should strive to treat others the... Read more

Pope Francis in the Pope Paul VI hall Dec. 21, 2019.

Pope Francis: This Christmas, imitate St. Joseph's trust in God

Dec 22, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a difficult situation, St. Joseph put his whole trust in God and was obedient, an example for all Catholics... Read more

Pope Francis incenses the nativity scene in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2017.

Pope Francis: Nativity scenes show a 'domestic Gospel'

Dec 18, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Wednesday called Christmas nativity scenes a “domestic Gospel,” which helps to make the Holy Family present in one’s... Read more

Lebanese Christian children meet St. Nicholas during a 2018 gift drive by St. Rafka Mission of Hope and Mercy.

‘Adopt a family’ of Christian refugees in Lebanon this Christmas

Dec 14, 2019

By Courtney Grogan

As Lebanon’s economic crisis worsens, a Lebanese priest is asking for people to spiritually and charitably adopt a persecuted Christian... Read more

Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako.

Cardinal Sako orders muted Christmas celebrations in Iraq

Dec 12, 2019

Christmas celebrations among Iraqi Christians will be subdued this year in a show of solidarity with anti-government protesters.   Read more

Pope Francis blesses nativity scenes near the Vatican Dec. 9, 2019.

Pope Francis blesses 100 nativity scenes near the Vatican

Dec 9, 2019

Pope Francis Monday stopped by the “100 Nativities in the Vatican” display to bless Christmas scenes from all over the... Read more

A Catholic church in Rantepao, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Amid terrorism fears in Indonesia, heavy security planned for Christmas

Dec 7, 2019

Authorities in Indonesia are expected to deploy 160,000 security personnel to ensure Christmas and New Year’s celebrations safe, according to... Read more

The 2019 Vatican nativity scene and Christmas tree.

Pope Francis: Don't forget the real meaning of Christmas

Dec 5, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Ahead of the Vatican Christmas tree lighting Dec. 5, Pope Francis expressed hope that the nativity scene in St. Peter’s... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2018.

Pope's letter on nativity scenes shares the story behind a beloved Christmas tradition

Dec 1, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter Dec. 1 on the meaning and importance of nativity scenes, calling for this “wonderful... Read more