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

Thousands flocked to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas for nan first clip since nan implementation of nan U.S.-brokered Israel-Hamas bid deal.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Let america observe together nan connection of Christmas," he added. "Glory to God successful nan highest — connected Earth, peace, goodwill to all. Bethlehem keeps nan ray alive."

Bethlehem, wherever Christians judge Jesus was born, started its Christmas festivities connected Dec. 6 pinch nan city's first Christmas character lighting since 2022.

"We came to celebrate, watch and enjoy, because for respective years we haven't had nan chance," said Randa Bsoul, a Palestinian from Haifa, Israel, told Reuters astatine nan time.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa attends Christmas celebrations successful Bethlehem, successful nan 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, complete which nan Palestinian Authority has constricted power owed to nan Oslo Accords, has seen limited, if any, Christmas celebrations complete nan past 2 years owed to nan warfare successful Gaza. During nan war, Manger Square featured a nativity segment of babe Jesus surrounded by rubble and barbed ligament successful homage to nan business successful Gaza.

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

Clergy members stand, connected nan time Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa attends Christmas celebrations successful Bethlehem, successful nan 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 nan different of violating nan agreement. Recently, U.S. typical envoy Steve Witkoff said that preparations for nan 2nd shape of nan scheme were underway, pursuing high-level talks successful Miami pinch representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

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