Overview
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the morning service at Delhi’s Cathedral Church of the Redemption, received a special prayer from Bishop Paul Swarup, and posted greetings calling for peace, compassion and harmony.
- Churches across India held midnight Masses and day services with large congregations in states including Meghalaya, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Telangana and Odisha, with prayers focusing on peace, unity and well‑being.
- The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, led by Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, appealed to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and state leaders to ensure proactive protection and strict law enforcement for Christian communities.
- Reports of harassment and attacks on Christians framed several state messages, with Cardinal Baselios Cleemis calling for believers to celebrate without fear and for authorities to govern with justice.
- Pope Leo XIV used his first Christmas homily to condemn war and pray for Gaza and Ukraine, as the UN warned that about 1.3 million people in Gaza need shelter assistance and face rising hypothermia risk.