Christmas Season 2022: The birth of Christ brings new light to our relationships

The birth of Jesus is the most powerful sign and message of hope in a world darkened by the shadows of fear and uncertainty. Each year, Vatican Radio brings you the voices of religious leaders and heads of Christian charitable organizations as they reflect upon the transformative power of the Good News that “Christ is born!”

In his Message for Christmas 2022, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem says, "Once again we can look to this baby born in Bethlehem, our Saviour, and take from Him the strength and courage of mercy and love, even in this very difficult time of ours."

Watch the full message from Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa:

Christmas 2022 - Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa's Message for Christmas 2022

We are witnessing in this period, even if it is not the first time, here in Holy Land, in Europe, many other parts of the world, violence. Violence became our main language, in a way, we can say. Our relations are always very tough and is very difficult to have relations based on trust. And violence is this, is the is a consequence of lack of trust among us, among the peoples, at a political level, social level, sometimes also in our families and our communities.

But at Christmas, the message of Christmas is this, that in this context, torn by violence, a small baby born in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer brought new light in our relations and a new style of life, based not any more on language, on the language of violence, not any more on power, but on mercy, compassion, and love.

So my message is this, that we can look once again to this Baby born in Bethlehem, our Redeemer, the Saviour, and to take from Him the strength and the courage of mercy and love, even in this very difficult time of ours.

Merry Christmas to all of you.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem