Environmentalists have called on the pope to halt the chopping down of a tree destined for St. Peter’s Square this Christmas, but the town providing the tree says it was doomed anyway.

Pope Francis visits a Nativity scene during an audience with the donors of the Vatican Christmas tree and the Nativity scenes, in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 3, 2022.

The Christmas liturgies announced Nov. 28 include: Dec. 24 at 7:30 p.m., the pope will celebrate the Mass of the Nativity of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica.

On Christmas Eve, the Pope will celebrate Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at 9:30 p.m., and on Christmas Day will give his traditional Christmans "Urbi et Orbi" blessing to the city and to ...

With Christmas just over a week away, Christians should prepare for Jesus' birth by serving those in need rather than focusing on what awaits them under the Christmas tree, Pope Francis said.

On Jan. 1, 2024, Pope Francis will preside over a Mass at 10 a.m. for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The first day of the year is also commemorated as the World Day of Peace.

At a Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s, Francis spoke of God’s unconditional love. “Christmas reminds us that God continues to love us all, even the worst of us,” Francis said in his homily.