Christmas

The Latest

In Michelangelo's Pietà, the Virgin Mary holds her Son as she did at his birth.

St. Stephen’s Day connects Christ’s birth to his salvific mission, Pope Francis says

Dec 26, 2018

By Courtney Mares

The feast of the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, falls the day after Christmas —  timing that contains an important... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing Dec. 25, 2018.

Pope’s Christmas Wish: Peace & brotherhood in world’s conflicts

Dec 25, 2018

By Courtney Mares

On Christmas, Pope Francis prayed for peace and renewed brotherhood in Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and other parts of the... Read more

Officials look through the wreckage of damaged buildings in Carita, Indonesia on December 23, 2018.

Pope Francis asks for prayers for Indonesia after deadly tsunami

Dec 23, 2018

By Courtney Mares

After a deadly tsunami struck Indonesia Saturday night, killing more than 200 people and injuring hundreds more, Pope Francis has... Read more

The Flight Into Egypt, Vittore Carpaccio. public domain.

Commentary: Is anyone 'ready' for Christmas?

Dec 21, 2018

By JD Flynn

We cannot be ready for the things that matter most unless Christ has come into our lives, and transformed them.  Read more

Pope Francis in the Paul VI hall Dec. 13, 2017.

Pope Francis: Make space for wonder this Christmas

Dec 19, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Make space for wonder and surprise this Christmas, Pope Francis urged Wednesday, explaining that the first Christmas had many surprises... Read more

Nativity made of red coral in the "100 Nativities at the Vatican" display.

'100 Nativities in the Vatican' seeks to show true meaning of Christmas

Dec 17, 2018

By Courtney Mares

More than 100 nativity scenes are on display near the Vatican as the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the... Read more

Artist: Gerard van Honthorst. Public Domain.

How one diocese is inviting people back to the Church this Christmas

Dec 6, 2018

By Perry West

As part of a recent evangelization outreach, the Archdiocese of Detroit is launching a Christmas campaign to welcome Catholics who... Read more

Rich Varano.

American sculptor humbled to bring sand nativity to Vatican

Dec 5, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Growing up next door to Daytona Beach in Florida, Rich Varano spent a lot of time making things out of... Read more

Construction begins on 2018 Vatican Nativity scene.

Artists begin work on Vatican Christmas nativity – out of sand

Nov 17, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s nativity scene will be a little bit different this year. In a departure from the traditional Neapolitan or... Read more

Pope Francis delivers a homily at Vespers in St. Peter's Basilica on Dec. 31, 2017.

Our response to the gift of Jesus? – ‘Thank you,’ Pope says New Year’s Eve

Dec 31, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

At Vespers for the close of 2017, Pope Francis said that the only adequate response to God’s gift of His... Read more

The perfect Christmas gift: a wedding dress for a poor bride

Dec 28, 2017

A Catholic wedding planner has encouraged married women in Ecuador to “put a smile on the face of a poor... Read more

The Flight Into Egypt, Vittore Carpaccio

Commentary: Tribalism in the Christmas Octave

Dec 28, 2017

Pope Francis recently warned against the commercialization of Christmas, and reminded us that if our Christmas isn’t centered on Jesus,... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Midnight Mass for Christmas Dec. 24, 2017.

Jesus' coming is an invitation to conversion, Pope Francis says

Dec 26, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday Pope Francis said there is a strong link between the death of St. Stephan, the Church's first martyr,... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas Day Dec. 25, 2017.

On Christmas, Pope says we see Jesus in every suffering child

Dec 25, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis on Christmas Day said the commemoration of Christ's birth is an occasion to remember and pray for every... Read more

Pope Francis prays the Angelus with pilgrims in St. Peter's Square Dec. 8, 2017.

Mary is a perfect example of how to respond to God's plan, Pope says

Dec 24, 2017

By Elise Harris

With Christmas just a day away, Pope Francis said Mary's humble and modest response at the announcement of Jesus' birth... Read more

Pope Francis laughing outside of St. Peter's Basilica during the general audience on April 1, 2015.

Pope Francis' three Christmas ingredients: joy, prayer, gratitude

Dec 17, 2017

With Christmas just eight days away, Pope Francis said three simple attitudes can help prepare us to welcome Jesus Christ.  Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Vatican's annual charity concert in Vatican City on Dec. 15, 2017.

Pope Francis: Music opens our hearts to the true meaning of Christmas

Dec 15, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Music and art are especially suited to helping us more deeply comprehend the true meaning of the mystery of Christmas,... Read more

Fr. Cattany blesses an attendee of the annual Father Woody Christmas cash giveaway, Dec. 14, 2017.

Christmas cash for the homeless: The legacy of one Denver priest continues

Dec 14, 2017

By Mary Farrow, Perry West

It was a chilly Thursday in December, with a dusting of snow on the ground. But that didn’t stop hundreds... Read more

Metro ad. Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Court rejects Washington archdiocese's Advent metro ad

Dec 11, 2017

By Adelaide Mena

A federal court has denied relief to the Archdiocese of Washington, in its request for an injunction that would have... Read more

Christmas tree and Navity scene in St. Peter's Square on Dec. 7, 2017.

Vatican nativity scene, Christmas tree unveiled

Dec 8, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

In an inauguration ceremony Thursday, the Vatican officially unveiled this year’s nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square, also lighting the... Read more