Christians gathered at the Church of the Nativity in the holy city of Bethlehem on Tuesday to mark a solemn Christmas overshadowed by war, as Pope Francis led mass in the Vatican.
The crowd of several hundred paled in comparison to the throngs of tourists and pilgrims of Christmases past -- a reflection of the sombre mood as the war between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip churns on.
At Manger Square, the heart of the Palestinian city dominated by the revered church that marks the site where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, a group of scouts held a parade that broke the morning’s silence.
Traditionally in Bethlehem, a grand Christmas tree would light up Manger Square, but local authorities opted against elaborate celebrations for a second year.
Prayers, including the church’s famed midnight mass, will still be held in the presence of the Catholic Church’s Latin patriarch, but the festivities will be of a more strictly religious nature.
“But I also saw life -- they don’t give up. So you should not give up either. Never.”
“Christmas is a feast of faith... We’re going to pray and ask God to end our suffering,“ Salman said.
Christians in Syria
“This Christmas carries the stench of death and destruction,“ said George al-Sayegh, who for weeks has sought refuge in the 12th-century Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, hundreds of people took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus to protest the burning of a Christmas tree in a Syrian town, just over two weeks after Islamist-led rebels ousted president Bashar al-Assad.
Syria’s new rulers have vowed to protect the country’s religious minorities, including Christians.
Tracking Santa
“Hatred and violence must not have the final word,“ he said.
The pope, who in recent days has made strong remarks condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza, opened the “Holy Door” of St Peter’s Basilica before presiding over the Christmas Eve mass.
There were many moments of joy on Christmas Eve, as families around the world gathered for meals and gift-giving.
General Gregory Guillot’s reassurances came as the joint US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command reported that Santa and his reindeer were making stops across Asia, including Japan and North Korea.
And in Paris, worshippers gathered at the Notre Dame cathedral for the first Christmas mass since its reopening following a devastating fire in 2019.
Notre Dame officially reopened on December 7 in a ceremony attended by world leaders, including incoming US president Donald Trump.
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