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World News

More than 7,000 gather in Vatican for midnight Christmas mass

Pope Francis asked people this Christmas to “do something good,” during his homily at Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Saturday.

Vatican

Pope uses Christmas Urbi et Orbi message to lament 'icy winds of war'

The traditional Christmas Day message was delivered from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Travel News

How do Christmas traditions vary around the world?

This Christmas Day, explore the festive traditions that shape cultures around the world.

West Bank

Bethlehem rebounds from pandemic, lifting Christmas spirits

Tourism is the economic lifeblood of the town in the occupied West Bank, and for the past two years the pandemic kept international visitors away.

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Czech Republic

Why Europe's 'least religious country' is among the best at Christmas

Only around a third of Czechs believe in God, the lowest rate in Europe, yet their Christmas traditions remain wrapped up in religiosity.

Culture news

Are Mr and Mrs Claus in an open relationship? This app thinks so

The traditional image of Santa Claus and his wife may be a jolly old couple but a ground-breaking dating app Taimi is looking to paint a more modern picture. LGBT+, ethically non-monogamous, and into kink; this is Mr and Mrs Claus like you've never seen them.

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Watch: Firefighters dress as Santa and his elves to deliver presents to sick children

One member of the Greater Athens Fire Service dangled from a fire engine's crane as he brought Christmas gifts to young cancer patients at the Agia Sofia hospital. Others abseiled down the side of a hospital building to hand out presents to children unable to make it outside.

Europe News

Anguish as war forces Ukrainian families to spend Christmas apart

Ukrainians across Europe are preparing for the holidays but many are thinking about how they'll connect with family back at home, where the situation remains dire.

Culture news

Holy Sh*t: Messi as you've never seen him before

Holy Sh*t! A Catalan tradition has caught the world champion Lionel Messi with his pants down!

Austria

Austrians skimp on Christmas gifts as economic woes bite

Faced by rising bills and prices, Austria's Christmas shoppers are tightening their bets, according to retailers who warn of jop cuts next year.

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Winning number drawn in Spain's El Gordo lottery

An unemployed Peruvian woman was among the grand prize winners in Spain’s bumper Christmas lottery known as “El Gordo”

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Festive lights brighten tourist destinations across the world

Bruges, Hampton Court and Brooklyn are among the tourist destinations that have been pulling out the stops to provide lighting displays for the festive season.

World News

Nativity scenes from around the world on display in St. Peter's Square

The war in Ukraine and climate change are among the themes of this year's exhibition

Culture news

Euroviews. Why are the Brits censoring a classic Christmas song? Again

Christmas censorship: The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’ is once again under attack under the guise of “protection”.

Culture news

Top book tips this Christmas

Haven't bought all your Christmas gifts? We've got you covered...

World News

Spain on tenterhooks over €2500m lottery prize draw

€2500 million of prize money will be distributed in this year's El Gordo - the big one - the nation's annual festive lottery.

World News

Festive shoppers in Romania feel the pinch of soaring costs

This Christmas many Romanians are faced with the prospect of ditching their favourite festive foods to cut costs.

United Kingdom

A delicious and sustainable miniature world - made out of gingerbread

A miniature world made of gingerbread and sweets with marshmallow mines, beaches and climate refugees - entirely designed, baked and installed by architects - is on show at the Museum of Architecture in London.

Spain

Madrid’s taxi drivers provide a Christmas journey for the elderly

Madrid’s taxi drivers taking part in the Taxiluz initiative drive the elderly around Spain’s capital to see all the Christmas decorations and lights for free

Travel News

What trains are still running during Christmas rail strikes in the UK?

Around 20 per cent of services are still scheduled to run on Christmas strike dates.