Catholics around the world celebrated Christmas yesterday on December 25. Candles were lit in the Vatican and the Church of Resurrection in Bethlehem. Pope Tawadros visited Pope Ibrahīm Issac of the Catholic Church to congratulate him. Pope Francis held a mass attended by more than 10,000 people and stated that the marginalized people are those who understand the message of Christ.  Christians in Iraq, however, had a bloody Christmas as 35 people were killed and tens were injured (‘Imād Khalīl, al-Masry al-Yawm, Dec. 26). Read original text in Arabic.

[Translator's note: an article of the same content appeared in Copts-United, Dec. 26. Read original text in Arabic.]