RAMALLAH, November 24, 2025 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas received today an invitation to attend the Christmas Mass in Bethlehem, celebrated according to the Western calendar, from Custos of the Holy Land Father Francesco Ielpo and Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land Father Ibrahim Faltas.

Ramzi Khouri, Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, and Samir Hazboun, a member of the Presidential Committee, attended the meeting. It took place at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.

President Abbas extended his congratulations to the Palestinian people and, in particular, to the Christian churches that observe the Western calendar on the occasion of these blessed holidays. He expressed hope that these celebrations will arrive with the end of the occupation’s injustice, through the attainment of freedom and the realization of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

T.R.