Once again, the announcement of Christmas resounded through Bethlehem! The Palestinian city, where Jesus was born 2,000 years ago, welcomed thousands of faithful and pilgrims who came from all over the world to celebrate. SHATHA BANORA
 Christian woman from Beit Sahour "The birth of Jesus begins in our hearts, especially for us who are children of this land, where Christianity was born. The birth of Christ brings joy to our hearts, despite the difficult circumstances we are presently facing.” Fr. CRISTIAN Romania "From the city of Bethlehem, where the prince of peace was born, I wish you to believe in this peace. Peace is real and we must seek it and make it a reality." The cold weather and the tensions of recent weeks have not prevented the scouts from enlivening the celebrations at the Manger Square, where the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem made his solemn entrance. Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the traditional Midnight Mass in St. Catherine Church, in the Church of the Nativity, in the presence of over 1300 people including the president of the State of Palestine and Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. Before carrying 'Baby Jesus' during the procession towards the Grotto of the Nativity, many were the pointers given during the homily by Mons Pizzaballa, including an appeal to politics, an exhortation to welcome and to accept the transformation by the prophecy of Christmas and a special invitation addressed to local Christians. H.E. Mons. PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, ofm Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem "Cheer up then, Church of the Holy Land! Cheer up, brothers and sisters! We can continue to live and stay here, in frailty and in poverty, because these are God's ways: He wants to come into the world and bless humanity. Let us not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is our strength! " Read More