Christian churches that follow the Western calendar celebrate Christmas, and the celebrations reached their peak last night when Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over midnight mass at the Latin Church of St. Catherine, in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas’ representative, Executive Committee member and Chairman of the Presidential Committee for Church Affairs Dr. Ramzi Khoury, and in the presence of Jordanian King Abdullah II’s representative Ambassador Issam Al-Bdour, Bethlehem Mayor Attorney Anton Salman, a number of ministers, security chiefs, ambassadors and consuls of foreign countries, a group of clergymen, nuns, and crowds of worshippers.

His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa delivered the Christmas 2024 sermon, sending a message of love and peace from Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, to the world. He said: After shaking hands with them, His Beatitude delivered a moving speech in which he said: Christmas in Bethlehem this year is also sad. As I entered the city, I noticed the shops closed. God willing, this will be the last sad Christmas. I call on all pilgrims to come to Bethlehem and not to be afraid.

At two o'clock after midnight, Cardinal Pizzipalla led the festive procession from the parish church of St. Catherine to the Grotto of the Nativity, carrying a model of the baby Jesus, and the prayers continued until the early hours of the morning.

The traditional celebrations at the popular and official levels began yesterday morning, when the procession of His Beatitude the Patriarch set off from the Patriarchate Diwan located in Bab al-Khalil, accompanied by Bishop William Shomali, Bishop Paul Margutso, Bishop Iyad Twal, the priests, the priest of the Latin parish, and representatives and dignitaries of the Latin institutions and associations in Jerusalem, in a convoy of cars via the Jerusalem Road towards the city of Bethlehem.

Upon the arrival of the procession in front of the Monastery of Mar Elias, it was received by Issa Qassis, Father Hanna Salem, priest of the Latin parish, Father Ibrahim Faltas, Deputy Custos of the Holy Land, Religious Affairs Officer and Custody Representative to the Palestinian Authority, and the heads and dignitaries of the Latin parishes in Bethlehem and Beit Jala.

After shaking hands with them, the procession continued its journey to Rachel's Tomb, where he and the accompanying delegation were received by the priest of the Latin parish, Father Rami Asakrieh, Father Issa Hijazin, the deputy mayor of Bethlehem, Hanna Hanania, the mayor of Beit Sahour, Dr. Elias Aseid, and the heads and representatives of the Latin parish. After shaking hands with those who welcomed him, the procession continued its journey.

Upon the arrival of the Patriarchal procession at Paradise Hotel, the procession was led by Palestinian motorcycles and Palestinian traffic police. At the Catholic Action Roundabout, His Beatitude dismounted and was received by priests, nuns, parish dignitaries, and representatives of the scout groups. After shaking hands with them, the procession headed out, led by the participating scout groups, carrying Palestinian flags and the groups’ flags. Meanwhile, members of the Terra Santa Eagles of the Nativity Scout Group in Bethlehem raised banners calling for an end to the war on Gaza and for work to establish peace in Arabic and English, without the participation of musical instruments, along the old Patriarchal Road, “Ras Aftees,” passing through Star Square, arriving at Manger Square.

In Manger Square, the procession was received by the Mayor of Bethlehem, Attorney Anton Salman, Governor Muhammad Taha Abu Alia, Director General of the Governorate Police, Brigadier General Murad Qandah, District Commander, Brigadier General Ibrahim Abu Kishk, Minister Hani Al-Hayek, leaders of the security services, and heads and representatives of churches and institutions.

Father Rami Asakrieh gave a speech in which he said: Today we are called to celebrate that God is with us, as He has not and will not abandon us in the midst of all this, thanking Him for this great love for every human being regardless of his religion or race.