Today, Saturday, Christmas celebrations according to the Western calendar began with the arrival of the Christmas procession from the Latin Patriarchate in the Old City of Jerusalem to the Church of the Nativity Square in the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa called for peace and reconciliation, saying - in statements to reporters - after crossing the gate of the separation wall, "This year witnessed a lot of violence, especially in Palestine," adding that "the Christmas message is a message of peace."
Hundreds of citizens gathered in the square of the Church of the Nativity, which was decorated with a Christmas tree, and hundreds of scouts marched in different costumes and multiple musical instruments while playing Christmas carols.
For his part, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed that Palestine "celebrates these days with the countries of the whole world the glorious Christmas, the birth of Christ, peace be upon him, the messenger of love and peace."
In a message broadcast by the Palestinian News Agency (Wafa) on the occasion of the Christmas celebrations, he added, "Where the flag of Palestine is raised, and the Christmas tree is lit, accompanied by religious choirs with their beautiful hymns, scout teams, and with the participation of all the sons and daughters of our Palestinian people in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and everywhere in the homeland and abroad, Let our people remember the story of the birth of the baby Jesus in the cave of Bethlehem.
He continued, saying that Christmas is "a religious and national occasion, a message of hope, love and peace that brings joy and tolerance to every Palestinian home and to millions of believers around the world."
For his part, Hanna Hanania, Mayor of Bethlehem, said that the city "received about 130,000 tourists last month," and the hotel occupancy rate was about 85%.
He added that Bethlehem launched its message to the whole world that "the spirit of Christmas brings us together and unites us despite all the difficulties that the cradle of Christ is going through." An independent and secure Palestinian state.
Patriarch Pizzaballa presides over the midnight mass in the Church of the Nativity, in the presence of a number of Palestinian official figures and citizens.