Bethlehem & Vatican: Pilgrims Progress…

Thousands of pilgrims joined local Palestinians in celebrating Christmas Eve in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, and the observances were more cheerful than in previous years, reports VOA. “It’s a more joyful Christmas. We have more tourists, we have more pilgrims coming to the city of Bethlehem, twice as much as last year,” said Bethleham Mayor Victor Batarseh. “All the hotels are booked. I think this Christmas brings more joy to all the citizens of Bethlehem.” The mayor attributes the change to a lull in violence and the revival of the peace process. More here…

While in the Vatican City Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday used his Christmas homily to speak out against selfishness and the degradation of the environment as he celebrated midnight mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica, reports AP. “Man is so preoccupied with himself, he has such urgent need of all the space and all the time for his own things, that nothing remains for others — for his neighbour, for the poor, for God,” he said, recalling the story of Christ’s birth, when “there was no room in the inn” for the baby Jesus.

“And the richer men become, the more they fill up all the space by themselves. And the less room there is for others,” said Benedict, wearing a white brocade robe.

(Photo above courtesy Nathalie Handal)

To see the interactive map of Bethlehem please click here…