Christmas spirit returns to Jesus' birthplace after more than two years of war

Thousands flocked to Bethlehem to observe Christmas for the archetypal clip since the implementation of the U.S.-brokered Israel-Hamas bid deal.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who has served arsenic the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, kicked disconnected the solemnisation during a accepted procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, calling for "a Christmas afloat of light," The Associated Press reported. Upon his accomplishment astatine Manger Square, which is named for the manger successful which Christian contented says Jesus was laid aft his birth, Pizzaballa said that helium came with greetings from the Christian assemblage successful Gaza wherever helium held a pre-Christmas Mass connected Sunday, the AP reported.

"We, each together, we determine to beryllium the light, and the airy of Bethlehem is the airy of the world," Pizzaballa told the crowd, according to the AP.

BIRTHPLACE OF JESUS TO RESUME CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AFTER WAR FORCED A TWO-YEAR PAUSE

People stitchery adjacent to the Christmas histrion astatine Manger Square connected the time of Christmas events with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, connected Christmas Eve, successful the Old City of Bethlehem successful the West Bank, Dec. 24, 2025.  (Mussa Qawasma/Reuters)

In November, Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati announced that the metropolis would spot a instrumentality of Christmas celebrations.

"From the bosom of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, the metropolis of bid — erstwhile again, we ignite the occurrence of anticipation and rise our prayers for peace," Canawati said successful a video posted to Instagram.

"Let america observe unneurotic the connection of Christmas," helium added. "Glory to God successful the highest — connected Earth, peace, goodwill to all. Bethlehem keeps the airy alive."

Bethlehem, wherever Christians judge Jesus was born, started its Christmas festivities connected Dec. 6, with the city's archetypal Christmas histrion lighting since 2022.

"We came to celebrate, ticker and enjoy, due to the fact that for respective years we haven't had the chance," said Randa Bsoul, a Palestinian from Haifa, Israel, told Reuters astatine the time.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa attends Christmas celebrations successful Bethlehem, successful the West Bank, connected Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2025.  (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

HISTORIC ITALIAN VILLAGE CREDITED FOR FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND CHRISTMAS NATIVITY SCENE DRAWS CROWDS FOR 800 YEARS

Bethlehem, implicit which the Palestinian Authority has constricted power owed to the Oslo Accords, has seen limited, if any, Christmas celebrations implicit the past 2 years owed to the warfare successful Gaza. During the war, Manger Square featured a nativity country of babe Jesus surrounded by rubble and barbed ligament successful homage to the concern successful Gaza.

During the war, Bethlehem, which relies connected tourism, saw a monolithic driblet successful visitors. Canawati said earlier this period that the city's unemployment complaint jumped from 14% to 65%, according to the AP. Additionally, poorness successful Bethlehem soared with astir 4,000 radical near searching for work.

Clergy members stand, connected the time Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa attends Christmas celebrations successful Bethlehem, successful the West Bank, connected Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2025. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

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The U.S.-brokered ceasefire woody has mostly remained successful place, contempt some sides accusing the different of violating the agreement. Recently, U.S. peculiar envoy Steve Witkoff said that preparations for the 2nd signifier of the program were underway, pursuing high-level talks successful Miami with representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

Fox News Digital's Ashley J. DiMella and The Associated Press contributed to this report.