Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

This morning, in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father received in audience the donors of the Nativity scene in the Paul VI Hall and the Christmas tree and Nativity scene in Saint Peter’s Square.

The following is the Holy Father’s address to those present:

 

Address of the Holy Father

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you!

 

Dear brothers and sisters, hermanos y hermanas ,

I am pleased to welcome you all, gathered here for the official presentation of the Nativity scene and the tree that decorate Saint Peter’s Square, as well as the Nativity scene in this Hall.

I greet the delegation of the diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, from which the nativity scene originates: Bishop Giuseppe Giudice, the civil authorities, and the various ecclesial groups. I am grateful to you for this artistic work, which recalls typical elements of your territory, such as the Baptistery of Saint Mary Major in Nocera Superiore, the Helvius fountain in Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino, and the characteristic courtyards of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese. These are places that were inhabited by Saint Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori and the Servants of God Don Enrico Smaldone and Alfonso Russo. I thank the companies involved, the workers and all those who conceived the project and collaborated in its realization, aiming to unite art and spirituality in a setting that recounts the faith and cultural roots of your land.

For pilgrims from all over the world who will gather in Saint Peter’s Square, the Nativity scene will remind them that God draws close to humanity, becomes one of us, entering our history in the smallness of a child. Indeed, in the poverty of the stable in Bethlehem, we contemplate a mystery of humility and love. Before every Nativity scene, even those made in our homes, we relive that Event and rediscover the need to seek moments of silence and prayer in our lives, to find ourselves and enter into communion with God.

The Virgin Mary is the model of adoring silence. Unlike the shepherds who, returning from Bethlehem, glorify God and recount what they have seen and heard, the Mother of Jesus keeps everything in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19). Her silence is not simply an absence of words: it is wonder and adoration.

Next to the Nativity scene, there is the fir tree from the woods of the municipalities of Lagundo and Ultimo, in the diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. I greet the delegation from that beautiful land: Bishop Ivo Muser, the mayors, the other authorities and the various ecclesial and civil associations. The tree, with its evergreen branches, is a sign of life and recalls the hope that does not fade even in the cold of winter. The lights that adorn it symbolize Christ, the light of the world, who came to dispel the darkness of sin and illuminate our path. In addition to the large fir tree, other smaller trees from the same locations in South Tyrol are destined for offices, public places and various areas of Vatican City.

The Nativity scene, which will remain in this Hall throughout the Christmas season, comes from Costa Rica and is entitled Nacimiento Gaudium . Each of the 28,000 coloured ribbons decorating the scene represents a life preserved from abortion thanks to the prayers and support provided by Catholic organizations to many mothers in difficulty. I thank the Costa Rican artist who, together with the message of peace at Christmas, also wanted to launch an appeal for the protection of life from conception onwards. I greet the Delegation from Costa Rica, in particular Mrs Signe Zeicate, First Lady of the Republic, with her daughter, and the Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Holy See.

Dear brothers and sisters, the Nativity scene and the tree are signs of faith and hope; while we contemplate them in our homes, parishes and squares, let us ask the Lord to renew in us the gift of peace and fraternity. Let us pray for those who suffer as a result of war and violence; in particular, today I wish to entrust to the Lord the victims of yesterday’s terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Sydney. Enough with these forms of anti-Semitic violence! We must eliminate hatred from our hearts.

Let us allow the tenderness of the Infant Jesus to enlighten our life. Let God’s love, like the branches of an evergreen tree, remain vibrant in us. I reiterate my gratitude to all of you, as well as the Directorate of Infrastructures and Services of the Governorate for its generous commitment and, as I invoke the maternal protection of Mary Most Holy upon you and your families, I cordially impart the Apostolic Blessing.

The following is the telegram of condolence sent on behalf of the Holy Father Leo XIV by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Archbishop Antony Colin Fisher, O.P., of Sydney, for the victims of the attack in Sydney, Australia:

 

Telegram

THE MOST REVEREND ANTHONY FISHER, OP

ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY

DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE HORRIFIC ATTACK THAT OCCURRED IN SYDNEY, WHICH CLAIMED THE LIVES OF MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY GATHERED FOR A HANUKKAH CELEBRATION, HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV OFFERS THE ASSURANCE OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE. WITH RENEWED HOPE THAT THOSE TEMPTED TO VIOLENCE WILL UNDERGO CONVERSION AND SEEK THE PATH OF PEACE AND SOLIDARITY, HIS HOLINESS PRAYS FOR THE HEALING OF THOSE STILL RECOVERING AS WELL AS CONSOLATION FOR THOSE GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE. COMMENDING THE DEAD TO THE LOVING MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD, THE HOLY FATHER INVOKES THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND STRENGTH UPON ALL AUSTRALIANS.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN

SECRETARY OF STATE

Today, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received in Audience the Prime Minister of Malta, His Excellency Mr Robert Abela, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the cordial talks at the Secretariat of State, the good bilateral relations and fruitful cooperation between the Church and the State were emphasized. There was also a discussion about issues of common interest, such as migration, in which both the Church and the Government are heavily involved.

Conversation then turned to the European and international situation, with particular attention given to Ukraine and the Middle East.

From the Vatican, 15 December 2025

On Thursday 18 December 2025 , at 11.30 , a press conference will be held at the Holy See Press Office, Via della Conciliazione 54, to present the Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV for the 59 th World Day of Peace , to be held on 1 January 2026 , on the theme: “Peace be with you all: towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace” .

The speakers will be:

- His Eminence Cardinal M. Czerny, S.J. , prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development;

- Professor Tommaso Greco , full professor of philosophy of law at the University of Pisa;

- Don Pero Miličević , parish priest of Saints Luke and Mark Evangelists, Mostar, Bosnia;

- Dr. Maria Agnese Moro , journalist, daughter of Aldo Moro.

The press conference will be livestreamed in the original language on the Vatican News YouTube channel, at https://www.youtube.com/c/VaticanNews

Remote participation

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate in the Press Conference remotely must apply, no less than two hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at https://press.vatican.va/accreditamenti , selecting the event: CS Messaggio 59.ma Giornata Mondiale della Pace.

In the request phase, select the option “Sì” in the box “Partecipazione da remote”.

Journalists and media operators who are admitted will receive confirmation of participation via the online accreditation system and, at the same time, the link to access the virtual platform and to participate actively in the Press Conference, with the possibility to ask questions.

Participation in person

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate in the Press Conference in person must apply, no less than 24 hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at https://press.vatican.va/accreditamenti , selecting the event: CS Messaggio 59.ma Giornata Mondiale della Pace.

Journalists and media operators who are admitted will receive confirmation of participation via the online accreditation system.

Simultaneous translation

By using the virtual participation platform indicated in the paragraph “Remote participation”, it will be possible to access the simultaneous translation channels and to listen to the Press Conference in Italian and English .

* * *

Journalists and media operators accredited for the Press Conference are requested to arrive 30 minutes before the start time.

This morning, the Holy Father received in audience:

- His Eminence Cardinal Josip Bozanić, archbishop emeritus of Zagreb, Croatia;

- His Eminence Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith;

- His Excellency Mr. Robert Abela, Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, with his wife and entourage;

- His Beatitude Raphael Thattil, major archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars, India, with Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, metropolitan of Tellicherry of the Syro-Malabars;

- Archbishop Bruno Musarò, titular of Abari, apostolic nuncio;

- His Eminence Cardinal Ladislav Nemet, S.V.D., metropolitan archbishop of Belgrade, Serbia;

- Donators of the Nativity scene in the Paul VI Hall, and the Christmas tree and Nativity scene in Saint Peter’s Square.