Christmas was marked around the globe Sunday with sincere wishes that hopes for world peace expressed all day will last all year.

In Bethlehem, where believers say Jesus was born, Palestinian boy scouts and girl scouts held a festive Christmas celebration with a march through Manger Square. They carried Palestinian flags as they passed a giant Christmas tree decked out in gold, in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

Pope Francis used his Christmas Day message to call for the guns to fall silent in Syria, where he said "far too much blood has been spilled." He also appealed to Israeli and Palestinian leaders to "have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history."

He told Christians that materialism has "taken Christmas hostage...we have to set it free."

FILE - Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi (Lat Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for ' to the city and to the world' ) Christmas' day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Dec. 25, 2016. Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for ' to the city and to the world' ) Christmas' day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Dec. 25, 2016.

Several hundred Iraqi Christians attended Mass in their hometown near Mosul as both a sign of hope and defiance.

Once home to thousands of Assyrian Christians, Bartella, on the outskirts of Mosul, fell to Islamic State in August 2014.

Worshippers were bused to the town Christmas Eve from the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital of Irbil, where they have been living.

As bells pealed before the service, women joyously wailed when they stepped into the church. Almost everyone held a lit candle during the service conducted in Aramaic and Arabic.

About a dozen U.S. military servicemen and a 100-man contingent from the Iraqi military also attended the service in a sign of solidarity with the worshippers.

Assyrian priest Yacoub Saady said, "This is the mass of defiance. We, the Christians, are the oldest component of this country. We are staying put and no power can force us to leave."

Iraqi Christians attend a Mass on Christmas Eve at Iraqi Christians attend a Mass on Christmas Eve at the Mar Shimoni church in Bartella, Iraq, Dec. 24, 2016. Iraqi forces freed Bartella in October from IS control, but residents have not been able to return. They were bused in for the service. Iraqi Christians attend a Mass on Christmas Eve at the Mar Shimoni church in Bartella, Iraq, Dec. 24, 2016. Iraqi forces freed Bartella in October from IS control, but residents have not been able to return. They were bused in for the service.



Obama, Trump send greetings

U.S. President Barack Obama enjoyed Christmas morning with his daughters and first lady Michelle in Hawaii before spending much of the day with U.S. Marines at Kaneohe Bay. Obama telephoned U.S. soldiers, sailors and Marines stationed around the world to thank them for their service.

President-elect Donald Trump enjoyed his Christmas at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and also tweeted Hanukkah greetings for the Jewish festival of lights, which coincides with Christmas this year.



In one of the more unusual U.S. Christmas traditions, George Washington's legendary crossing of the Delaware River in 1776 during the American Revolution was reenacted for the 64th year.

About 10,000 history buffs and the curious stood on both sides of the river, in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania and Titusville, New Jersey, to watch the participants in their continental army uniforms.

One group of celebrants had the best perspective of Earth on Christmas Day -- the crew of the International Space Station.

They enjoyed Christmas dinner, including food specially prepared and canned by a French chef forFrance's Thomas Pesquet.

U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson said seeing the planet as a whole reinforces what she called the need to live as one people and strive for peace.</s>VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Sunday offered a Christmas hope for peace in a world lacerated by war and terrorism, urging people to remember migrants, refugees and those hit by economic instability caused by “idolatry of money.”

Francis, marking the fourth Christmas season since his election in 2013, also urged Palestinians and Israelis, facing renewed tension after a United Nations resolution condemning Israeli settlements on occupied land, to have the courage to put aside hate and revenge and “write a new page of history.”

His traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message was linked by a common thread of war, violence and suffering at a time that should be defined by harmony and peace symbolized by the infant Jesus.

“Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, which have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities,” he told some 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high alert.

“Today this message [of peace] goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace,” he said, speaking in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

He called for peace in Syria, urging immediate assistance to the exhausted population of the city of Aleppo, which Syrian government forces recaptured last week after four years of devastating fighting with rebels.

“It is time for weapons to be still forever [in Syria], and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution, so that civil co-existence can be restored in the country,” he said.

Francis, the first Latin American pope, also said Christmas should inspire everyone to help the less fortunate, including migrants, refugees and those swept up by social and economic upheavals.

“Peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of the few, because of the sheer greed and the idolatry of money, which leads to slavery,” he said.

At his Christmas Eve Mass on Saturday, Francis said the feast had been “taken hostage” by dazzling materialism that puts God in the shadows.

On Sunday, he also called for an end to “fundamentalist terrorism” in Nigeria, a reference to Boko Haram, which has killed 15,000 people and displaced more than two million during a seven-year insurgency to create an Islamic state.

Francis further appealed for an end to tensions between the government and opposition in Venezuela, for harmony in Colombia, which recently ended a civil war with FARC guerrillas, and an end to strife on the Korean peninsula and in Myanmar.</s>Christmas Eve is nearly here and that means it’s time for Pope Francis to address the world from Rome with the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve. Also known as the Midnight Mass, the Midnight Mass from Rome begins much earlier than midnight. You may watch Pope Francis live streaming online in the video player above, beginning at 3:30 p.m., ET on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2016. The Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve will last two hours and Pope Francis will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ from St Peter’s Basilica. Viewers around the world may tune in and watch the live stream free. You may see other videos from Pope Francis to the general audience in the video player below. In addition to the Vatican live streaming feed above, EWTN will also air many specials, devotionals, prayers and meditations. EWTN will simultaneously stream the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve or the Midnight Mass with Pope Francis from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Following the live service, they will air several television specials including the Joy of Music, Path of the Messiah, The Church and the Poor, Mother Angelica Live, Life is Worth Living and the Holy Rosary. Those programs conclude the scheduled television, pre-recorded shows for their Christmas Eve broadcasts. Beginning at 10 p.m., EWTN will stream live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. From 10 p.m. to 10:30 EWTN will air Choral Meditations on the Nativity, followed by the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve, also held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is accepting online prayer requests or prayer intentions that they will then pray over during their Christmas Novena. You can watch the Solemn Mass on Christmas Eve with Choral Meditations on the Nativity featuring the Basilica Choir and Orchestra streaming live online in the video player below, beginning at 10 p.m. ET. EWTN has a full schedule of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day programming planned. You may see EWTN’s Christmas schedule here. You can watch EWTN streaming live online here. Following the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve, at 12:30 a.m., EWTN will air The Promise. The Promise will look at the Gospel story and events foretelling the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Annunciation and his birth. Following the Promise, will be another Midnight Mass. This Mass will be from the Holy Land and will air from 1 a.m until 4 a.m. The Midnight Mass will stream live from the Holy Land and will celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation. Following the Midnight Mass will be another airing of the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve with Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Basilica That will air from 4 a.m. until 6 a.m. At 6 a.m., EWTN, as well as Pope Francis, will return to live streaming as the Pope will deliver the Christmas message and Urbi et Orbi (an apostolic blessing to Rome and the world) live from St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The Urbi et Orbi message will last approximately half an hour. You can watch Pope Francis deliver his Christmas message to Rome and the world in the video player below that will go live on Christmas Day. With live streaming videos, viewers have the choice of watching Christmas Eve Midnight Mass on apps, their mobile devices, computers and more. Those who are away from their television sets will find plenty of ways to worship and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Additionally, EWTN will replay the masses and after Pope Francis delivers the Christmas message, the full videos will be available to watch on YouTube. Just check the video player in the middle above, and the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve, along with the Urbi et Orbi videos will automatically update to the playlist. In addition to the Catholic masses that will air, NBC will stream a Christmas Eve Mass from 11:30 pm. to 1 a.m. The NBC Christmas Eve Mass will take the place of Saturday Night Live on Dec. 24. [Featured Image by Franco Origlia/Getty Images]</s>Pope Francis gave a solemn homily while celebrating Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican late Saturday evening. Decrying violence and materialism, he spoke to a full St. Peter's Basilica of children who "suffer the squalid mangers that devour dignity" because no one is willing to help them.

"Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons," Francis charged, mourning children "hiding underground to escape bombardment, on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat overladen with immigrants."

The pope urged sacrificial compassion for the downtrodden, exhorting his listeners to ensure this is not a Christmas "when we are concerned for gifts but cold toward those who are marginalized." On Sunday, he will give the Urbi et Orbi ("to the city and the world") blessing at noon. Bonnie Kristian</s>Decrying the suffering in Syria, Pope Francis on Sunday wished Christmas peace and hope for all those scarred by war and terrorism, which he said is sowing "fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities."

Some 40,000 tourists and Romans calmly endured long security lines to enter St. Peter's Square to see the pope on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he delivered the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and to the world") Christmas message and blessing.

Francis spoke sorrowfully of the suffering caused by the Syrian war, especially in Aleppo, pressing the international community to help negotiate a solution. He urged Israelis and Palestinians to "write a new page of history, where hate and revenge give way" toward building a future of understanding and harmony.

He also cited the "brutality of terrorism" in Iraq, Libya and Yemen.

In Nigeria, the pope lamented, "fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children," a reference to child suicide bombers. He expressed hope that dialogue would prevail over "the mindset of conflict" in both South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The heavy security at the Vatican reflected apprehension in much of Europe, which is reeling from extremist attacks. Last week, 12 people died in Berlin when a Tunisian man who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group plowed a truck through a crowd at a Christmas market. He was killed a few days later in a shootout near Milan.

"Peace to all those who have been injured or have suffered the loss of a loved one due to the brutal acts of terrorism that have sown fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities," the pope said.

Referring to the meaning of Jesus' birth, Francis said: "Today this message goes out to the ends of the Earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace."

His Christmas message also recalled Colombia, which has seen his personal intervention try to end Latin America's longest running conflict, and Venezuela, where a papal envoy has tried to facilitate talks between the government and the opposition as Venezuelans endure widespread food and medicine shortages.

Francis expressed concern over tensions on the Korean peninsula, and over Myanmar, which he said should "consolidate efforts to promote peaceful coexistence."

During Christmas Eve Mass in the basilica, Francis said Jesus' birth, in a humble stable, calls to mind how some children today must hide in underground bomb shelters, live on the street, lie on the bottom of overcrowded smugglers' boats, are given weapons instead of toys or aren't allowed to be born at all.

Throughout his papacy, Francis has denounced the Islamic extremist violence that has driven Christians from Mideast communities that date to Christianity's foundations. He has also demanded that Europe in particular do more to welcome refugees.

Reflecting the pope's concern for migrants, refugees and others on society's margins, Bologna's archbishop celebrated a Christmas Eve Mass for the homeless in a waiting room of that Italian city's main train station.</s>VATICAN CITY, Dec. 25 (UPI) — Pope Francis emphasized the need for world peace — specifically in war-torn Syria — during his Christmas Day address Sunday.

The BBC said the head of the Roman Catholic church delivered his message in front of tens of thousands of people who gathered in St. Peter’s Square. There was an intense security presence after the man suspected to have perpetrated last week’s deadly terror attack in Berlin was shot dead in the Italian city of Milan, the British broadcaster noted.

The Guardian newspaper quoted the pontiff as saying he wants his words regarding the end of violence to be carried “to the ends of the Earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace.”

“Far too much blood has been spilled,” he went on. “Above all, in the city of Aleppo, site of the most awful battles in recent weeks, it is most urgent that assistance and support be guaranteed to the exhausted, civil populace, with respect for humanitarian law. It is time for weapons to be stilled forever, and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution so that civil co-existence can be restored in the country.”

The pope also urged Israelis and Palestinians to “have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history, where hate and revenge give way to the will to build together a future of mutual understanding and harmony.”

The BBC reported he denounced global terrorism, which he said “had sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities.”</s>VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday wished Christmas peace for people scarred by wars and for those who have lost loved ones to terrorism that he said is sowing “fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities.”

An estimated 40,000 tourists and Romans calmly endured long lines for security checks to enter St. Peter’s Square. There they got a glimpse of the pope on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he delivered the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world) Christmas day message.

Francis cited those suffering through the Syrian war, especially during the “most awful battles” in Aleppo. He pressed the international community to find a negotiated solution. He urged Israelis and Palestinians to abandon hate and revenge.

He also lamented that in Nigeria “fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children,” a reference to child suicide bombers, and he decried conflicts and tensions in Africa, eastern Ukraine, Myanmar, the Korean peninsula, Colombia and Venezuela.

The heavy security at the Vatican reflected apprehension in much of Europe, which is reeling from extremist attacks. Last week, 12 people died in Berlin when a Tunisian man who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group plowed a truck through a crowd at a Christmas market. He was killed a few days later in a shootout in near Milan.

“Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them, or who were wounded, as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, that have sown fear and death in the hearts of so many countries and cities,” the pope said.

Referring to the meaning of Jesus’ birth, Francis said: “Today this message goes out to the ends of the Earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace.”</s>VATICAN CITY - The following is the Vatican’s official translation of Pope’s Francis’ traditional “Urbi et Orbi” Christmas day message, delivered in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica Sunday:

Today the Church once more experiences the wonder of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and the shepherds of Bethlehem, as they contemplate the newborn child laid in a manger: Jesus, the Savior. On this day full of light, the prophetic proclamation resounds: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government will be upon his shoulder; and his name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:6)

The power of this Child, Son of God and Son of Mary, is not the power of this world, based on might and wealth; it is the power of love. It is the power that created the heavens and the earth, and gives life to all creation: to minerals, plants and animals.

It is the force that attracts man and woman, and makes them one flesh, one single existence. It is the power that gives new birth, forgives sin, reconciles enemies, and transforms evil into good. It is the power of God.

This power of love led Jesus Christ to strip himself of his glory and become man; it led him to give his life on the cross and to rise from the dead. It is the power of service, which inaugurates in our world the Kingdom of God, a kingdom of justice and peace.

For this reason, the birth of Jesus was accompanied by the angels’ song as they proclaimed: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!” (Lk 2:14).

Today this message goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace.

Peace to men and women in the war-torn land of Syria, where far too much blood has been spilled. Particularly in Aleppo, the site of horrendous fighting in recent weeks, it is most urgent that, in respect for humanitarian law, assistance and support be guaranteed to the sorely tried civilian population, who continue to live in desperate straits and immense suffering and need. It is time for weapons to be still forever, and the international community to seek actively a negotiated solution, so that civil coexistence can be restored in the country.

Peace to the women and men of the beloved Holy Land, the land chosen and favored by God. May Israelis and Palestinians have the courage and determination to write a new page of history, where hate and revenge give way to the will to build together a future of mutual understanding and harmony.

May Iraq, Libya and Yemen - whose peoples suffer war and the brutality of terrorism - be able once again to find unity and concord.

Peace to the men and women in various parts of Africa, especially in Nigeria, where fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children in order to perpetrate horror and death. Peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so that divisions may be healed and all people of good will may strive to undertake the path of development and sharing, preferring the culture of dialogue to the mindset of conflict.

Peace to women and men who to this day suffer the consequences of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, where there is urgent need for a common desire to bring relief to the civil population and to put into practice the commitments which have been assumed.

We implore harmony for the dear people of Colombia, which seeks to embark on a new and courageous path of dialogue and reconciliation. May such courage also motivate the beloved country of Venezuela to undertake the necessary steps to put an end to current tensions, and build together a future of hope for the whole population.

Peace to all who, in different areas, are enduring sufferings due to constant dangers and persistent injustice.

May Myanmar consolidate its efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and, with the assistance of the international community, provide necessary protection and humanitarian assistance to all those so gravely and urgently in need of it. May the Korean peninsula see the tensions it is experiencing overcome in a renewed spirit of collaboration.

Peace to all who have been injured or have suffered the loss of a loved one due to the brutal acts of terrorism that have sown fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities.

Peace - not merely the word, but real and concrete peace - to our abandoned and excluded brothers and sisters, to those who suffer hunger and to all the victims of violence.

Peace to exiles, migrants and refugees, to all those who in our day are subject to human trafficking.

Peace to the peoples who suffer because of the economic ambitions of a few, because of sheer greed and the idolatry of money, which leads to slavery.

Peace to those affected by social and economic unrest, and to those who endure the consequences of earthquakes or other natural catastrophes.

And peace to the children, on this special day on which God became a child, above all those deprived of the joys of childhood because of hunger, wars or the selfishness of adults.

Peace on earth to men and women of goodwill, who work quietly and patiently each day, in their families and in society, to build a more humane and just world, sustained by the conviction that only with peace is there the possibility of a more prosperous future for all.

Dear brothers and sisters, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;” he is the “prince of peace.” Let us welcome him!</s>Pope Francis told crowds in St. Peter’s Square that this Christmas might be the last one for humanity.

In a grim speech, the Pope said that the current chaotic state of the world marks the beginning of the “end times”, and that this time next year the world is likely to be unrecognisable.

Francis, who previously announced the beginning of World War 3, had labelled this year’s Christmas as a “charade” during a Mass at the Casa Santa Maria earlier in the month.

“We are close to Christmas. There will be lights, there will be parties, bright trees, even Nativity scenes – all decked out – while the world continues to wage war,” he said earlier in December.

The Pontiff, who turned 79 on Thursday, elaborated on his views this weekend, telling a crowd, “While the world starves, burns, and descends further into chaos, we should realise that this year’s Christmas celebrations for those who choose to celebrate it may be their last“.

“Unless the path to peace is recognised, we must weep for those innocent victims who grow by the day, and ask God for forgiveness. As Jesus and God weeps, I do too“.</s>WE won’t know till tonight what the Holy Father will tell in his Christmas message.

But his last Angelus catechesis before Christmas (on Wednesday December 21) should have served as our guide since then.

He encouraged pilgrims who watched and listened at St. Peter’s Square to spend time reflecting on what it was like for Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem. He asked us to imagine “the path, the fatigue, but also the joy, the emotion and then anxiety of finding a place, the worry” and many other wonders the praying mind could see.

As other sages, like St. Josemaria Escriva, have taught, Pope Francis urges us to contemplate the Nativity scene to keep focused on he what Christmas is about. Focusing on the Nativity, he hoped, would enable us to realize what Christmas truly means, that it is Jesus coming close to us and being Immanuel, “God with us.”

He said: “The grace of Christmas is one of love, humility and tenderness. And he prayed that all of us would receive this grace “with openness and confidence in God.”

Pope Francis focused his Angelus reflection on the figures of Mary and Joseph in the day’s Gospel reading from Matthew. In this reading, Joseph had at first decided to divorce Mary quietly (because he did not want to cause a scandal and punish his betrothed) after finding out about her being pregnant. But he changes his mind and takes her as his wife after the angel Gabriel appeared to him in a dream, telling him not to fear—because Mary’s child is that of God the Holy Spirit.

In becoming man, said the Pope, “God draws near to the human being taking the flesh of a woman,” noting that God also draws near to us, but in a different way.

Francis explained that “Through his grace, God enters our lives and offers his own Son as a gift, and this, the Pope said, makes us ask ourselves: “What do we do? Do we welcome him, or reject him, kicking him out?”

The Pope said that just as Mary allowed God to “change the destiny of mankind” by opening herself freely to him, we must also try to seek Jesus and to follow his will every day. If we do this, we will be able to cooperate “in his plan of salvation for us and for the world.”

He said, “Mary appears to us, then, as a model to look to and support on whom we count in our search for God and in our commitment to building a civilization of love.”

Of St. Joseph, Pope Francis said that as shown in the Gospel, on his own he couldn’t give comprehend and explain what he sees unfolding before him. But then, it is precisely in that moment that God draws near to him through the angel, revealing the true nature of Mary’s mysterious pregnancy.

Responding positively to God’s word, spoken to him through the angel, he no longer wants to “repudiate his bride, but takes her with him,” Pope Francis said, explaining that Joseph welcomed Mary with full knowledge and love for “he who in her was conceived by the marvelous work of God, for whom nothing is impossible.”

“Joseph, a humble and just man, teaches us to always trust in God, to let ourselves be guided by him with willing obedience,” said the Pope.

He concluded his Christmas Angelus meditation with the point that truly it is Mary and Joseph who introduce us “to the mystery of Christmas.” That “Mary helps us to put ourselves in an attitude of availability to welcome the Son of God in our concrete lives, in our flesh.”

And that “Joseph spurs us to always seek the will of God and to follow it with full trust.”
Pope Francis pleads for peace in a Christmas Mass in the Vatican.