Bishop Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu of Minna, Nigeria, walks near the coffins of some of the victims of a 2012 Christmas bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Nigeria, during a funeral for the victims. CNS photo/Afolabi Sotunde, Reuters ...read more

Children dressed as angels arrive to re-enact a Nativity scene during Christmas celebrations in 2011 in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. CNS photo/Dado Ruvic, Reuters ...read more

A Missionary of Charity nun chats with refugee children at Christmas lunch at the refugee camp at G Udaigiri, India. CNS photo/Anto Akkara ...read more

Two Iraqi boys hold candles as they pray for peace in Iraq and Syria during Mass at a Chaldean Catholic church in Amman, Jordan, Dec. 23, 2012. CNS photo/Ali Jarekji, Reuters ...read more

On Thursday, December 24, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated the Christmas Eve Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica. Read the full text of his homily below: Tonight “a great light” shines forth (Is 9:1); the light of Jesus’ birth shines all about us. How true and timely are the words of the prophet Isaiah which we have ...read more

The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has videotaped his message for Christmas and the New Year. Entitled Goodness abounds, Bishop Crosby refers similarly to the theme of mercy which the Church celebrates this month and throughout the coming year as the Extraordinary Jubilee ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 23, the antiphon is based on Isaiah ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 22, the antiphon is based on Isaiah ...read more

On Monday, December 21, 2015, Pope Francis met with the Roman Curia and presented them with the annual Christmas greetings. Below you can find the full text of the Pope’s address to the gathered Cardinals and Superiors of the Roman Curia. Dear brothers and sisters, Forgive me for not standing up as I speak to you, ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 21, the antiphon is based on Isaiah 9:1; ...read more