Name: Worldwide Christmas celebrations share message of peace
Uploaded: 2025-12-25T06:42:24.495Z
Duration: 2 min 22 s
Description: Countries around the world put the final touches on their Christmas celebrations. From soaring cathedrals to the birthplace of Christ and even in space, the message of peace and goodwill was clear.

Countries around the world put the final touches on their Christmas celebrations. From soaring cathedrals to the birthplace of Christ and even in space, the message of peace and goodwill was clear.

Paris

Christmas celebrations took place at several significant locations, including Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral, which welcomed worshippers one year after its reopening, and Bethlehem's Manger Square, where festivities continued under a fragile ceasefire. Pope Leo led his first Christmas mass as pontiff at St Peter's Basilica, delivering a message that highlighted the importance of human dignity in challenging economic times.

Despite closed borders preventing traditional pilgrimages to Bethlehem, Christians in the region gathered to celebrate mass. Messages of goodwill and unity were shared globally, including greetings from the International Space Station, emphasizing the universal wish for peace and a Merry Christmas to people of all backgrounds.

Worldwide Christmas celebrations share message of peace

One year after reopening, songs of praise reverberated throughout the rafters of Paris's great Notre-Dame Cathedral. The medieval stone pile, packed with locals and tourists alike, for mass. Notre-Dame offers Christ to the world. Christmas even comes to those sitting among the stars. Season's greetings from 400km up in the International Space Station. Merry Christmas and a happy, happy new year. Back on Earth and like the star from the Christmas story that guided the wise men more than 2,000 years ago. Manger Square in Bethlehem shone like a beacon, welcoming all to celebrate in peace with singing and feasting. A message Pope Leo reinforced as he led his first Christmas mass since taking the shepherd's crook. Under the vaulted extravagance of St Peter's Basilica, he delivered a pointed Christmas message. While a distorted economy leads us to treat human beings as mere merchandise, God becomes like us, revealing the infinite dignity of every person. While humanity seeks to become God in order to dominate others, God chooses to become man in order to free us from every form of slavery. Before braving a wet and windy Roman night, to thank and bless a hearty few hundred packed into the square outside. With a fragile ceasefire protecting them, Christian Garzons celebrated mass as best they could. But at a time when they would traditionally travel to Bethlehem, closed borders stand between them and the birthplace of Christ. But regardless of faith, location or persuasion, one wish is universal. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas to all of you all over the world.

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