Midnight Mass in Bethlehem 2023

The Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem hosted the traditional Christmas Midnight Mass, presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. However, due to the political unrest, only a few pilgrims and local Christians could join the celebration. 

In his homily, the Patriarch urged the faithful to rediscover the true joy of Christmas and the Savior, by returning to God and His love. He also denounced the violence and oppression that stem from forgetting God and creating a false image of Him. He said that this happens too often in the Holy Land, where the Church must be a sign of hope and peace.

The Mass was concelebrated by several bishops and priests, including three Patriarchal Vicars for different pastoral areas: Palestine, Migrants and Asylum Seekers, and Hebrew Speaking Catholics. Among the guests were Dr. Ramzi Khoury, a representative of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and some diplomats.

The Mass was also attended by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who came as a special envoy of Pope Francis to visit the Holy Land. The next day, he met with Fr. Piotr Zelazko, the Vicar of St. James Vicariate, at his office.