For the first time since the U.S.-facilitated Israel-Hamas peace agreement, Bethlehem welcomed thousands of visitors eager to partake in the Christmas celebrations.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who has been the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, initiated the festive events with a traditional procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. As reported by The Associated Press, Pizzaballa urged for a “Christmas full of light” during the ceremonial march. Upon reaching Manger Square, a location steeped in religious significance as the traditional site where Jesus was placed after his birth, Pizzaballa extended greetings from the Christian community in Gaza, where he held a pre-Christmas Mass the previous Sunday, according to the AP.

“Together, we choose to be the light, and the light from Bethlehem is the light of the world,” Pizzaballa addressed the assembled crowd, as reported by the AP.

Celebrants gathered around the towering Christmas tree at Manger Square to mark the occasion, with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa leading the Christmas Eve events in the historic heart of Bethlehem, located in the West Bank, on December 24, 2025. (Photo by Mussa Qawasma/Reuters)

In anticipation of the festive season, Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati had announced in November that the city would once again host its much-loved Christmas festivities.

“From the heart of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ and the city of peace — we reignite the flame of hope and lift our prayers for peace,” Canawati expressed in a heartfelt video message shared on Instagram.

“Let us celebrate together the message of Christmas,” he added. “Glory to God in the highest — on Earth, peace, goodwill to all. Bethlehem keeps the light alive.”

Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born, started its Christmas festivities on Dec. 6 with the city’s first Christmas tree lighting since 2022.

“We came to celebrate, watch and enjoy, because for several years we haven’t had the chance,” said Randa Bsoul, a Palestinian from Haifa, Israel, told Reuters at the time.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa attends Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2025. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

Bethlehem, over which the Palestinian Authority has limited control due to the Oslo Accords, has seen limited, if any, Christmas celebrations over the past two years due to the war in Gaza. During the war, Manger Square featured a nativity scene of baby Jesus surrounded by rubble and barbed wire in homage to the situation in Gaza.

During the war, Bethlehem, which relies on tourism, saw a massive drop in visitors. Canawati said earlier this month that the city’s unemployment rate jumped from 14% to 65%, according to the AP. Additionally, poverty in Bethlehem soared with approximately 4,000 people left searching for work.

Clergy members stand, on the day Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa attends Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2025. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

The U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal has largely remained in place, despite both sides accusing the other of violating the agreement. Recently, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said that preparations for the second phase of the plan were underway, following high-level talks in Miami with representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.