The Iraqi national anthem opened the Mass as women wailed with emotion.

“This is our homeland and we insist (we) remain here.”

Christmas is a wonderful and joyful mystery and we humans can never, ever really understand it.

Standing on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on a clear, crisp Christmas day, Pope Francis spoke about the world's children before formally giving his blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world).

“So many other footsteps are hidden in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary,” Pope Francis said. “We see the tracks of entire families forced to set out in our own day.”

Today, the eternal Word is spoken by the Father into the world. Gabbing gives way to gaze.