World

Gaza war overshadows Bethlehem midnight mass

By AAP Newswire

Dec 25, 2024

Murals cover Israel's separation barrier in Bethlehem — A sombre mood is hanging over Bethlehem, as the deadly fighting in the Gaza strip continues. -AP

The devastating war in the Gaza Strip was front and centre during the midnight mass in Bethlehem given by the Catholic Church's highest representative in the Holy Land.

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"You are not alone," Pierbattista Pizzaballa said in expressing solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza during the Christmas mass at the the Church of St Catherine. The church is directly beside the Church of the Nativity in the small town in the West Bank.

"You are truly a visible sign of hope in the midst of the disaster of total destruction that surrounds you," Pizzaballa said. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem had visited the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip before Christmas.

"I frankly admit that it is hard for me this year to announce the joy of Christ's birth to you here and to all those who look to Bethlehem from all over the world," he added.

The angelic singing seemed "to be out of tune after a tiring year full of tears, bloodshed, suffering, in addition to shattered hopes and crushed plans for peace and justice." The Christmas story could provide comfort, he said.

Overshadowed by the devastating war in Gaza, the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem - traditionally considered the birthplace of Jesus Christ - were more subdued this year.

Although the traditional procession from Jerusalem arrived in Bethlehem on Tuesday afternoon, the festive decorations and the lighting of a large Christmas tree in the square in front of the Church of the Nativity were abandoned and there are hardly any tourists in Christ's birthplace this year because of fighting in the region.