Bethlehem celebrates 1st Christmas in two years
A 15-metre Christmas tree lights up Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem this year after a two-year pause from all festivities in solidarity with the city’s fellow Palestinians in Gaza. By Linda Bordoni and Jean-Charles Putzolu in Bethlehem Celebrations are resuming across the West …
Pope Leo XIV revives tradition during first Christmas of his pontificate
By Victoria Cardiel Vatican City, Dec 24, 2025 / 06:00 am Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his first Christmas at the Vatican by reviving the tradition of offering Christmas Mass on Dec. 25 in St. Peter’s Basilica, something no pope has done since 1994. The Christmas celebrations — which will be …
Where does the ‘Feast of the 7 Fishes’ Christmas Eve tradition come from?
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Dec 24, 2025 / 04:00 am There are numerous Christmas Eve traditions families around the world take part in, whether it’s watching a certain movie together, baking cookies for Santa, opening one present before going to bed, or eating a specific meal for dinner. The …
The History of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’
The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is an English Christmas carol. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface …
These are Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intentions for 2026
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Dec 22, 2025 / 06:00 am The pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network has released Pope Leo XIV’s list of prayer intentions for the year 2026. Every month, Pope Leo asks Catholics around the world to pray for a particular intention. This initiative is accompanied by a video in …
Pope Leo XIV appoints Monsignor James Misko as bishop of Tucson
By CNA Staff Vatican City, Dec 22, 2025 / 09:58 am Pope Leo XIV has appointed Monsignor James A. Misko, a priest of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, as the next bishop of Tucson, Arizona. The Holy See Press Office publicized the appointment at the Vatican, and it was also publicized …
Make Jesus the Standard of Christmas
At the time of this writing, my family of seven plus two mutts are in an Airbnb in our own town. Two weeks ago, a small leak in our bathroom turned into the space being gutted from water damage. We were assigned project managers, contractors, and an adjuster to boot. …
Archbishop Coakley anticipates meeting with Trump, Vance
By Tessa Gervasini Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 22, 2025 / 13:07 pm Archbishop Paul Coakley said this week he is looking forward to speaking with President Donald Trump in “the near future.” Coakley, who was elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in November, said he has “not had …
The best Christmas movies to watch this year
by CNA Staff CNA Staff, Dec 20, 2021 / 14:14 pm Christmastime is upon us. In the spirit of the holiday, the writers and editors of CNA would like to share some of their favorite Christmas movies — and where you can find them. Merry Christmas and happy viewing! The …
Advent Calendar 2025
November 24. 2025 – January 16. 2026 Marian Library Seeking Shelter Christmas Exhbit 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM ET Marian Library Gallery and Crèche Museum After they were turned away from the inn in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph sought shelter elsewhere. In Nativity sets, different traditions place Jesus’ birth in …
