The Holy Father celebrated the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord with Mass during the night, held in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 24. Pope Francis gives his homily at Christmas Mass at St. Peter's ...

Christmas 2023 marks 800 years since St. Francis of Assisi staged the first manger scene in the hill town of Greccio, about 50 miles north of Rome. Pope Francis visits the Nativity scene in St.

In 2019, Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter on the meaning and importance of the Christmas nativity scene. He signed the document, Admirabile signum (“Enchanting image”), on Dec. 1 that year, at ...

This small village has a rich religious history, being credited with starting the tradition of live Nativity scenes. Located in the Lazio region of Italy, the town of Greccio is where Saint Francis of ...

A church in Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, is receiving attention for its decision to redesign its Christmas nativity scene to reflect the impact of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Just ...

Churches in Bethlehem are observing Christmas this year without the usual celebrations, eschewing giant trees, sparkling lights and festive carols. Christmas Eve in Bethlehem is quiet this year - no ...

(RNS) — This Christmas, sisters Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer are celebrating 5 million acts of kindness inspired by what they call 'The Giving Manger.' (RNS) — When Allison Hottinger and Lisa ...

The Christmas 2023 Nativity scene at the Vatican will evoke the first-ever live manger, which was created by St. Francis of Assisi in Italy in the 1200s, the Vatican said Monday. The Vatican’s ...