- Title: Latin Patriarch arrives in Bethlehem, greeted by a small crowd of faithful
- Date: 24th December 2020
- Summary: ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PIZZABALLA INSIDE CHURCH, GREETING PEOPLE STATUE OF JESUS ON THE CROSS PIZZABELLA AND CLERGYMEN KNEELING AT ALTER PIZZABELLA AND CLERGYMEN PERFORMING PROCESSION NUNS WEARING FACE-MASKS PRAYING VARIOUS OF PIZZABELLA ND CLERGYMEN PERFORMING PROCESSION PEOPLE IN CHURCH PRAYING OVERVIEW OF EMPTY CHURCH DURING PROCESSION
- Embargoed: 7th January 2021 14:28
- Keywords: Bethlehem COVID-19 Christmas Eve Coronavirus Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Manger Square Pierbattista Pizzaballa
- Location: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- City: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Middle East,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA005DAD8Y87
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, arrived in Bethlehem on Thursday (December 24) to lead muted Christmas celebrations.
A less than usual crowd of faithful greeted the patriarch at Manger Square, in striking contrast to what would normally be a frenetic scene.
Shortly before his arrival, the patriarch, who himself has contracted COVID-19 and recovered, delivered his Christmas message next to the Israeli-built separation barrier between Israel and the West Bank.
"Christmas is a message of hope and life so there is no space for frustration, and fear", said Pizzaballa, wearing a black face mask.
Pizzaballa will lead this year's reduced Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity.
(Production: Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh Mohammed Abu Ganeyeh, Yosri al Jamal, Adel Abu Nemeh, Nuha Sharaf, Lee Marzel) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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