VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, delivering his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday, urged "all people of all nations" to find courage during this Holy Year "to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions" plaguing the world—from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia. The pontiff's "Urbi et Orbi"—"To the City and the World"—address serves as both a reminder and call to action, highlighting the woes facing humanity this year.
Coinciding with the launch of the 2025 Holy Year celebration, dedicated to the theme of hope, the Pope's message called for broad reconciliation, "even (with) our enemies." He invited everyone to become "pilgrims of hope" from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, addressing the throngs gathered below. By invoking the Holy Door of St. Peter's, which he opened on Christmas Eve, Francis emphasized the need for God's mercy, asserting it tears down walls of division and dispels hatred. Notably, he repeated calls for the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas during the tumultuous conflict, underscoring the urgency of peace.
This year's Christmas is particularly special as Hanukkah, Judaism's eight-day Festival of Lights, begins on Christmas Day—an occurrence seen only four times since 1900. This rare calendar alignment has inspired various interfaith gatherings, one such event hosted by Jewish organizations in Houston, Texas, which celebrated with traditional latkes topped with salsa and guacamole, symbolizing unity between Latino and Jewish communities.
Yet, juxtaposed against the celebratory spirit of these occasions, the overarching atmosphere is clouded by conflict and rising antisemitism. Rabbis have noted the stark contrasts of celebrating Hanukkah amid wars raging across the Middle East.
Across the ocean, soldiers on the front lines of eastern Ukraine experienced their second Christmas at war, continuing their battle against Russian forces. Amid the grinding conflict, one soldier, known by his call sign OREL, shared his somber reflection. "Honestly, I remembered about this holiday only in the evening (after) someone wrote... today is a holiday," he remarked, illustrating the emotional toll of war. “We have no holidays, no weekends. Everything is plain, everything is gray,” he said, focusing solely on his mission to keep his personnel safe.
Optimism persevered among the troops, mixed with hope for peace. A soldier from the 24th Mechanized Brigade, Valerie, articulated this sentiment powerfully, saying, "On such a day, today, I’d like to wish for all of this to be over, for everyone. Of course, there is always hope, everyone wants peace and to return home,” channeling their collective longing for tranquility amid chaos.
Meanwhile, New Yorkers awoke to their first white Christmas since 2009, with Central Park recording 1 inch of snow, stirring up childhood memories for many. Families took delight as children named the hardworking snowplows, with names like “It’s Snow Problem” and “Control-Salt-Delete,” showcasing resilience and joy amid wintry weather. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden took time to call each branch of the military stationed overseas, thanking them for their service and dedication.
Yet, the festive spirit was shadowed by tragedy as German celebrations turned somber following a car attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg. The violent incident left five people dead, including a nine-year-old boy, sparking outcries for solidarity and resilience. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his Christmas Day speech to address the attack, emphasizing the collective grief expressed throughout the nation. "There is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place..." he asserted, urging Germans to stand together against hate and violence.
Not all fell prey to the somber atmosphere, as some Germans clung to joy by participating in traditions like the Berlin Seals club's annual swim, donning Santa hats as they braved the chilly waters of Oranke Lake. Elsewhere, the establishment of a giant Hanukkah menorah was observed outside the Brandenburg Gate, signifying resilience and celebration among Jewish communities even amid adversity.
Further south, displaced Christians residing at tent camps in the Gaza Strip marked Christmas far from home. Amal Amouri and her husband, Tony Al-Masri, longed for the celebrations they once enjoyed in Bethlehem, expressing their heartache at being separated from family during this season of joy. "On days like these, I would be with my children... We have been deprived of all of this," Al-Masri expressed, capturing the essence of their plight. His wife, Amal, hung wooden crosses and decorated their tent, symbolizing hope and the undying wish for peace.
Through all the contrasting emotions amid these global Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, what shone through was the human spirit’s resilience. The universal longing for peace and unity during these holidays remains, inspiring communities worldwide to gather and share both their joys and struggles.
