Pope Francis condemns Iran's rocket attacks on Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, saying that “good relations between neighbours are not built with such actions, but with dialogue and cooperation”.

Pope Francis meets with members of the Italian “Bearers of St. Rose” sodality, and encourage Christians to get off the couch and work to spread the Gospel of Christ.

Pope Francis meets with members of an Institute of secular priests, stressing that secularity means “serving and bearing witness to the Kingdom of God in this world.”

Pope Francis sends the papal almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, to the Holy Land as a sign of his solidarity amid the tragedy of war, and invites everyone to pray for peace.

On the Feast of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, Pope Francis says he is “close to the Christian communities that suffer discrimination”, and prays for peace in Syria, Gaza, and Ukraine.

Attack decried as attempt to erase Palestinian history after thousands of historical documents were torn apart and burnt

Archbishop Zalewski, 60 years old, from Poland, also nuncio to Singapore, is apointed resident papal representative in Vietnam. Last July, during the visit of President Vo Van Thuong of Vietnam to the Vatican, an agreement on the status of the resident papal representative was reached.

Christian leaders in Jerusalem meet with President Herzog to convey the Church’s consistent stance calling for an immediate cessation of the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip.

On 21 December 2023, an update on the archaeological excavation works at the Holy Sepulchre complex in Jerusalem was presented to the leaders of the Christian Communities managing the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, by the Department of Antiquities of the University of Rome Sapienza.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem urges Christians to heed the Christmas message of love, peace, and reconciliation at a time when violence and hatred seem to prevail in the Holy Land and other parts of the world.

Scholas Occurrentes, the educational movement established by Pope Francis, is awarded the University of Seville's 'Juan Antonio Carrillo Salcedo' human rights prize.

Pope Francis holds his customary exchange of Christmas greetings with Vatican employees, and encourages them to bear Christian witness in the workplace.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, travels to the EU nation of Slovakia for a three-day, official visit at the invitation of the local Bishops' Conference.

In his annual address to the Roman Curia for the exchange of Christmas Greetings, Pope Francis issues an invitation to listen, discern, and journey, never losing sight of Christ's call to be merciful, loving, and courageous.

Pope Francis urges the faithful “go to the crib” this Christmas, and “ask Jesus for peace.”

The importance of Christians working together to promote goodness in a world facing constant challenges has been highlighted by speakers at the 13th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation underway in Krakow, Poland, on 13-19 September.

Egypt is again mediating negotiations on a pause in fighting and a hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel, giving hope to the possibility of a 2-week truce in Gaza.