The Christmas atmosphere of ornaments and carols that permeates the streets and shops of the low-income area of Ras el-Dekwaneh in north Beirut stops at the threshold of a small room in a narrow alley, which the joyous atmosphere does not seem to reach.

The door opens to a family whose members' faces are tinged with great sadness and whose children's eyes have lost the sparkle and enthusiasm of being engrossed with decorating for Christmas.

Thanks to its mediation role in the process of reconciliation between Cuba and the US, Vatican diplomacy finds itself back at the centre of the international stage. The good news of the thaw in relations was met with the Pope’s joy and came as a pleasant surprise to the ambassadors accredited to the Holy See.

The “noble” actions of those who believe in dialogue and negotiation.

In an age when many, at different levels, consider the terms “dialogue” and “diplomacy” as equivalent to do-goodery and feeble compliance, when they are not believed to be as effective as swear words, the message the Americas have sent out with the thaw in US-Cuna relations is a significant one.

The holiday season is in full swing, with many Canadians enjoying the carefree pleasures of Christmas office parties and concerts. Others are looking forward to attending Christmas Eve church services, or getting together with family and friends over a turkey dinner.

But halfway around the world, Christmas will be anything but carefree for Iraq's persecuted Christian communities.

David Thamir was having a great time as he played go-karts with other boys. He shrieked, ran and jumped with his companions as they charged around in the vehicles they had made for themselves. It was the sort of joyful and innocent fun which comes naturally to children.

But in this instance, it was also a fleeting moment of respite from the agony of existence. Maybe those watching the children at play gave thanks to God that these little ones had not fully grasped the enormity of the tragedy that had encompassed their lives.

US President Barack Obama and the President of Cuba Raúl Castro have mentioned the crucial role played by the Latin American Pope in achieving a landmark deal between the two countries. Maduro called it a “wonderful gift” on the occasion of Francis’ birthday. The meetings between Kerry and Parolin which preceded the diplomatic breakthrough.

In January 1971, editor-in chief of the "Voice of the Holy Land" magazine (1967-2002) Fr. Raouf Najjar, conducted an interview with then-Prime Minister Wasfi Tal which unveiled his patriotism and his sincerity. At the time, he conveyed good wishes to the Christians marking Christmas celebrations, and talked about the Constitution which enshrines equality and non-discrimination among citizens. Following are some of the answers of the martyred leader which we post on his martyrdom anniversary.

In an hour-long meeting with Cardinal Parolin, the US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed a desire for “the Holy See’s assistance in seeking adequate humanitarian solutions for current inmates”.

At a meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, expressed a desire for the Holy See’s assistance in “seeking adequate humanitarian solutions” for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison. The meeting took place today in the Vatican and lasted an hour.

Francis meets the Syriac Antiochian community which gathered in Rome for their latest Synod. The Patriarch denounced jihadists, “the fratricidal war” in Syria and last century’s genocide

Many Christians in the Middle East “have fled to seek shelter from an inhumanity that throws entire populations out into the streets, leaving them without any means of survival,” Pope Francis told faithful of the Syriac-Antiochian community led by Patriarch Ignace Youssif III Younan. The community held their Synod - which ran from 8 to 10 December - in Rome this year.

The Orthodox Metropolitan theologian has talked about how theology has divided the Church. Now it must help overcome the obstacles that are standing in the way of full communion between catholic and Orthodox faithful.