Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, ofm: In his first Christmas Message as the new Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo recalls the Child laid in the manger as the sign of a God who draws near in fragility. He invites us to look at the Holy Land with hope, to pray for peace, and to recognize God’s presence among the poor and in the wounds of the world, welcoming the light that is born.   “She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and ...more