Pope sends Christmas greetings to Oriental Churches

By Devin Watkins

Greeting the faithful after the prayer of the Angelus on Thursday, Pope Francis sent his greetings to Orthodox Christians and Eastern rite Catholics who celebrate Christmas on Friday according to the Julian calendar.

“I send my warmest wishes of peace and every good,” he said. “May Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, shine on your families and your communities! Brothers and sister, best wishes!”

Missionary children

The Pope then said that 6 January is commemorated as Missionary Childhood Day, to recall that even young Christians are missionaries by virtue of Baptism.

“There are many children in various parts of the world who seek to pray and offer their savings so that the Gospel might be proclaimed to those who do not know it.”

And he thanked those missionary children, and recalled that Christian mission “begins with our Christian witness in everyday life.”

The Pope’s greeting came on the same day he released his message for World Mission Day 2022.