The Gazette: Faithful return to Bethlehem and Pope Leo XIV celebrates his first Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s

Faithful return to Bethlehem and Pope Leo XIV celebrates his first Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s

Chicago Sun-Times: Pope Leo XIV celebrates his first Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's, faithful return to Bethlehem

Pope Leo XIV celebrates his first Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's, faithful return to Bethlehem

Bethlehem is an important historic city in the West Bank, about 10km (6.2 miles) south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem, or beit lechem means “House of Bread” in Hebrew. During the Christmas season, Christians from around the world make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity to see the place where Jesus was born. Rachel’s Tomb is at the northern entrance of Bethlehem and is an important ...

Bethlehem, or beit lechem means “House of Bread” in Hebrew. During the Christmas season, Christians from around the world make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity to see the place where Jesus was born.

Bethlehem’s rich history and deep connection to Christmas are undeniably intertwined. In 1741, on Christmas Eve, a group of Moravians singing a hymn christened the town “Bethlehem,” forever etching the holiday spirit into its identity.