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Bethlehem

Bassem Giacaman in his shop in Bethlehem in December 2024. The artisans in Bethlehem are almost all Christians. They primarily work with olive wood. Most of the businesses in Bethlehem are family businesses. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

War, Economic Struggles Threaten Bethlehem’s Century-old Crafts Tradition

Dec 21, 2024

The tradition of being an artisan in Bethlehem is being threatened by the flight of young people from the area and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

On the afternoon of Jan. 6, three Franciscan friars portrayed the Magi in Bethlehem. After the Second Vespers of the Epiphany, they descended in the Grotto of the Nativity, in Bethlehem, where they brought their gifts to the places of Jesus' manifestation. | Credit: Marinella Bandini

The Magi reach Bethlehem, finding smaller crowd of faithful amid ongoing war

Jan 7, 2024

The Magi made their appearance for the recitation of the Second Vespers of the Epiphany, marking the conclusion of the solemnity and also the end of the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, presides over the Christmas Midnight Mass in the Church of St. Catherine in Bethlehem. With him, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal envoy, H. E. Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine, and the bishops of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem concelebrated. Dec. 25, 2023. | Credit: Marinella Bandini

Midnight Mass in Bethlehem: Patriarch Addresses Gazan Christians, Calls for End to War

Dec 25, 2023

The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, presided over midnight Mass for Christmas at the Church of St. Catherine in Bethlehem, addressing the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on Gazans and sharing the news that on Christmas Eve the local Church was able to deliver supplies to the people taking refuge at Holy Family Parish in Gaza.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, 2023. | Credit: Marinella Bandini, Catholic News Agency

Israel-Hamas War Casts Pall over Christmas Eve Vespers in Bethlehem

Dec 24, 2023

At Bethlehem’s Basilica of the Nativity, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the first vespers of Christmas.

The famous Banksy’s Armored Dove of Peace, the painting of a peace dove wearing a flak jacket. The dove is painted on a wall near the separation wall between Bethlehem (Palestinian Territories) and Israel. Nov. 18, 2023. | Credit: Marinella Bandini

PHOTOS: Christmas Celebrations Canceled in Bethlehem in the Midst of War

Nov 26, 2023

The strands of lights are falling down one after another, forming a kind of curtain of threads in front of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Following the municipality’s decision to suspend Christmas events and remove decorations, workers are busy dismantling the light canopy on Nativity Square and at other locations in the city.