Global Church News

When does Christmas actually end? Here are the different views

Dec 27, 2024

Christmas is typically celebrated on Dec. 25 for most of the world — or Jan. 7 for churches using the Julian calendar (Jan. 6 for yet another, considerably smaller, part of the world.)
When Philippines' slums celebrate Christmas

Dec 27, 2024

People in slums do not mind the lack of Christmas decorations in their homes, saying their community life compensates for it.
The 8 days of Christmas? A look at the Christmas octave

Dec 27, 2024

The Catholic calendar has several ways to divide the Christmas season. The Church’s Western liturgical tradition sees Christmas as an octave, an eight-day celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Muted Christmas mass in Indonesia's Sharia stronghold

Dec 26, 2024

Catholics in Aceh, Indonesia, celebrate a quiet Christmas amidst strict Sharia law, focusing on faith and harmony despite challenges as a minority
Bethlehem marks sombre Christmas under shadow of war

Dec 26, 2024

"Amid war and loss, Bethlehem marks a somber Christmas, with prayers for peace and resilience echoing through the Church of the Nativity and beyond"
330,000 people in need receive Christmas lunch around the world

Dec 26, 2024

The Community of Sant’Egidio prepares Christmas meals for 80,000 homeless, elderly, families in need, and refugees in Rome and 250,000 others around the world.
Bangladeshi Christians look to revive dying Christmas traditions

Dec 26, 2024

Economic prosperity, modernity and rise of individualism are cited as reasons behind gradual decline
‘An incredible thing’: Catholic groups collect Christmas toys for children in need

Dec 26, 2024

Multiple Catholic groups and organizations this year have collected and distributed Christmas presents to children and families in need — some of them continuing yearslong traditions ensuring that even those without means are able to put something under the tree on Christmas morning.
Cardinal Krajewski in Ukraine: May this be the last Christmas of war

Dec 26, 2024

The Papal Almoner celebrates Mass in the city of Fastiv after opening a soup kitchen in the war-torn area of Ukraine.
Christian persecution on the rise in India: report

Dec 24, 2024

India has witnessed a steady rise in targeted violence against Christians since 2014, reveals the latest report by a New Delhi-based ecumenical body that records attacks against Christians in the South Asian country.