His Holiness Pope Francis has paid tribute to the efforts exerted by Jordan in hosting the refugees, terming their hosting as falling within the framework of the spirit of brotherhood. This was reported in a speech delivered during his meeting Monday, January 7, with members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See on the occasion of the start of the New Year.

Having flipped through the calendar of the new year, we said, “O God, we rely on You.” We can only be optimistic, because falling into despair is a great danger. It involves a risk of passing a judgment on the new year with views abounding with negativity, bleakness, and monotony that overwhelm one with boredom and despair.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The official English-language translation of the Pope's homily is below:

Christian tradition has given many interpretations to the adoration of Jesus by the Wise Men from the East, celebrated on Jan. 6.

What does the word “epiphany” mean? Before it became associated with the festival of the Kings’ Cake, the word had a much broader meaning. Derived from the Greek “epiphaneia” (manifestation), it designates the manifestations of God to man or “theophanies.”

Bethlehem’s rich history can be fully appreciated only by walking its streets. Every year, the city enters millions of homes worldwide through the image of the humble manger where Jesus was born. But that image does not compare to experiencing the Old City first-hand. Coming to Bethlehem is a unique experience that I would encourage everyone to pursue.

“The Chinese Catholic communities are reconciling” - says the Bishop of Qiqihar, not yet recognized by the government - “not because of a command coming from the outside, but because their faith asks them to do so”. It also scales down the issue of the demolition of a convent of nuns of his diocese.

Once again, it is that time of year. It is the season to be jolly and I take pleasure in wishing a very merry Christmas not only to my Christian friends, but to everybody.

Christmas this year coincides with the 175th anniversary of Charles Dickens’s wonderful novel: “A Christmas Carol”, and I admit without shame that Ebenezer Scrooge is my absolute favorite Dickensian character. A Christmas Carol became an icon of the season because it does not focus on religious symbolism but it epitomises the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas is the story of Jesus coming into the world as a vulnerable, needy child. Jesus wants to be altogether approachable, so he comes, not as an austere and aloof aristocrat, but as an innocent baby we are urged to hold in our arms.

As easy as Jesus makes it to “come to Him,” we see that there was “no room” for Him in the Inn. Jesus was relegated to the “last place” meant, not for humans, but for animals.

Following is the text of His Holiness Pope Francis' homily during Mass on Christmas Eve at Vatican Basilica on Monday, 24 December 2018:

Joseph with Mary his spouse, went up “to the city of David called Bethlehem” (Lk 2:4). Tonight, we too, go to Bethlehem, there to discover the mystery of Christmas.

Following is the text of the homily delivered by Most Rev. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem during Christmas Night Mass 2018 in Bethlehem:

“Jesus comes to live in our city”

Mister President,

Esteemed Authorities,

Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and the Priesthood,