AFP — Pope Leo XIV will deliver his first Christmas blessing from St Peter’s Basilica on Thursday, after a year overshadowed by conflict, but also marked by hopes for peace in Gaza.
In Bethlehem, the Christian community celebrated its first festive Christmas in more than two years as the occupied West Bank city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza.
However, the Pope’s call this week for a one-day global truce went unheeded in Ukraine, where fighting continued, as the pontiff prepared to deliver his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing at 12:00 (1100 GMT) — during which popes usually speak about conflicts around the world and urge peace.
Before the address, the Pope celebrated his first C
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