- Title: Latin Patriarch arrives in Bethlehem, greeted by a small crowd of faithful
- Date: 24th December 2020
- Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (DECEMBER 24, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MARCHING BAND PERFORMING BEFORE THE ENTRANCE OF THE ARCHBISHOP TO THE NATIVITY CHURCH PEOPLE WITH UMBRELLAS STANDING IN MANGER SQUARE WATCHING THE MARCHING BANDS VARIOUS OF MARCHING BAND PERFORMING PEOPLE WITH FACE-MASKS AND UMBRELLAS WATCHING BANDS
- 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: LVA001DAD8Y87
- 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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