NPR News: 12-25-2025 10AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: Dec 25, 2025 – 10AM EST

Main Theme

This five-minute NPR News Now episode covers Christmas Day events worldwide against a backdrop of ongoing conflict and social transformation. Key topics include Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem amid ongoing war, Pope Leo's Christmas message calling for peace, diplomatic friction between the EU and US over tech regulation and visa bans, a major pro-Russian cyberattack in France, and initiatives for more inclusive representations of Santa Claus in the US.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christmas Returns to Bethlehem amid War (00:11–01:28)

• Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity: For the first time since the war in Gaza began over two years ago, Christmas celebrations returned to Bethlehem.
  • Report by Hadil Al Shouji: The Church of the Nativity saw crowds lining up for communion. The scene was described as "austere," but resonant with hope.
• Cardinal Pizabella’s Message of Hope (00:58)
  • Cardinal Pizabella, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed the devastation of the Gaza war but emphasized hope witnessed during his recent visit to the region:
    • Quote: “I hope that all the world will see also the other side of the Holy Land, which is not only conflict and war, but is also life, joy and commitment to life and joy.” — Cardinal Pizabella (00:58)
• Revival of Festivities
  • Traditional Scouts parade and a renewed atmosphere at Manger Square.
  • Observation: Palestinians echoed feelings of “life and joy” after years of strife.

2. Pope Leo’s First Christmas Day Mass (01:28–02:04)

• Historic Moment: Pope Leo presided over his first Christmas as pontiff at the Vatican.
• Call for Peace & Unity
  • From St Peter’s Square, the pope’s address centered on reconciliation and ‘Christ’s birth as a path out of division.’
    • Quote: “Indeed he is our peace. He has conquered hatred and enmity through God’s merciful love. For this reason, the Lord’s birth is the birth of peace.” — Pope Leo (01:53)
• Diplomatic Appeal: Pope Leo directly urged Ukraine and Russia to begin talks to end their ongoing war.

3. EU-U.S. Tensions over Tech Legislation & Visa Bans (02:04–03:09)

• Background on the Digital Services Act (DSA)
  • The EU’s DSA mandates transparency, removal of illegal content, and the fight against disinformation on tech platforms—a longstanding point of contention with the U.S.
• Escalation
  • The US imposed visa bans on five European citizens, including former commissioner Thierry Breton, citing the DSA.
    • Report by Terri Schultz: The US claims the Act targets American companies. The EU condemns the move, defending their right to legislate as they see fit.

4. French Postal Service Cyberattack (03:09–04:06)

• Pro-Russian Hacking Group’s Claim
  • Just before Christmas, a cyberattack crippled France’s postal system (“La Poste”), preventing package scanning and online payments.
• Broader Context
  • French intelligence attributes the attack to Moscow-linked actors as part of ‘hybrid warfare’ aiming to destabilize Europe and weaken support for Ukraine.

5. Broadening Santa’s Image: Diversity in Holiday Representation (04:06–04:48)

• Black Santa Event in Eugene, Oregon
  • Report by Brian Bull: The Belongings Space initiative coordinates events featuring Santas of color and queer Santas to foster inclusion for marginalized communities.
• Personal Reflection
  • Quote: “Now we know ain't no white man gonna come up in this neighborhood and talk about bringing some toys. So folks of color need to have some representation of their own.” — Greg Black, Santa portrayal (04:25)
• Inclusive Spirit
  • Event organizers emphasize that anyone enthusiastic about spreading holiday cheer is welcome to play Santa.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cardinal Pizabella on Hope Beyond Conflict (00:58)
  • “I hope that all the world will see also the other side of the Holy Land, which is not only conflict and war, but is also life, joy and commitment to life and joy.”
• Pope Leo on Peace (01:53)
  • “Indeed he is our peace. He has conquered hatred and enmity through God’s merciful love. For this reason, the Lord’s birth is the birth of peace.”
• Greg Black on Representation (04:25)
  • “Now we know ain't no white man gonna come up in this neighborhood and talk about bringing some toys. So folks of color need to have some representation of their own.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bethlehem Christmas Celebration: 00:11–01:28
• Pope Leo’s Mass & Peace Appeal: 01:28–02:04
• EU-U.S. Digital Services Act Dispute: 02:04–03:09
• French Postal Cyberattack: 03:09–04:06
• Inclusive Santa Representation: 04:06–04:48

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This episode captures global Christmas celebrations amid ongoing conflict and social change, explores tensions between the EU and US over digital policy, and highlights local efforts towards a more inclusive holiday season.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Christians perform midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity last night in Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born. The city, which is in the Israeli occupied West bank, brought back Christmas celebrations for the first time since the war in Gaza began more than two years ago. NPR's Hadil Al Shouji reports from Bethlehem.

[Hadil Al Shouji]

People lined up to receive communion in the austere prayer hall of the Church of the Nativity. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizabella, just finished his sermon. He mentioned the devastation of the war in Gaza, but said he saw hope when he visited there earlier this week.

[Cardinal Pizabella]

I hope that all the world will see also the other side of the Holy Land, which is not only conflict and war, but is also life, joy and commitment to life and joy.

[Hadil Al Shouji]

Earlier in the day, the traditional Scouts parade marched through the streets of Bethlehem. Palestinians at Manger Square said that for the first time in more than two years, they felt they could let themselves feel life and joy. Hadil Alshalchi, NPR News, Bethlehem.

[Windsor Johnston]

At the Vatican today, Pope Leo celebrated his first Christmas Day Mass as pontiff. Speaking from the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square, the pope called on the faithful to embrace peace, saying Christ's birth offers a path out of division and hostility.

[Cardinal Pizabella]

Il natale del signore e il natale della pace.

[Pope Leo]

Indeed he is our peace. He has conquered hatred and enmity through God's merciful love. For this reason, the Lord's birth is the birth of peace.

[Windsor Johnston]

Pope Leo also used his Christmas address to urge Ukraine and Russia to find the courage to hold direct talks to end the war. The European Union is blasting the Trump administration's visa bans on five European citizens, including a former European commissioner from Brussels, Terry Scholz reports. The EU says it will do whatever it takes to preserve its right to regulate as it sees fit.

[Terri Schultz]

The EU's Digital Services act, or DSA, has been a long standing source of tension with the US because it imposes responsibilities on big tech platforms such as to be transparent about their processes, to take down illegal content and to combat disinformation. U.S. officials have often characterized it as targeting American companies. In announcing he can no longer visit the U.S. the State Department blamed former EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton personally for the legislation, which was enacted last year. A European Commission's statement strongly condemns the US decision, saying the DSA is designed to ensure a fair and safe playing field for all companies. For NPR News, I'm Terri Schultz in Brussels.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is NPR News in Washington. Authorities in France say a pro Russian hacking group has claimed responsibility for a cyber attack that crippled the national postal system just before Christmas. The group has ties to previous attacks across Europe. The disruption knocked out La Poste's computer systems, leaving postal workers unable to scan packages or process online payments. French intelligence is now leading the investigation. French officials accuse Moscow of using so called hybrid warfare to sow chaos and undermine support for Ukraine. The iconic Christmas Day figure is Santa Claus, who is commonly portrayed as a stout white man in a red suit, lined with fur and wearing black boots. THE but as Brian Bull from member station KLCC reports, there's a growing demand for more diverse depictions.

[Terri Schultz]

Ho, ho, ho.

[Brian Bull]

Families line up for a black Santa event in Eugene. An initiative called the Belongings Space coordinates events with black, indigenous and queer Santas to give marginalized communities a safe and welcoming space for the holidays. Greg Black plays black Santa. He says there were never any for.

[Greg Black]

Him growing up, as they would say in some of the large cities like Chicago. Now we know ain't no white man gonna come up in this neighborhood and talk about bringing some toys. So folks of color need to have some representation of their own.

[Brian Bull]

Coordinators of the event say anyone with a holiday spirit is qualified to play the jolly old elf. For NPR News, I'm Bryan Bull in Eugene, Oregon.

[Windsor Johnston]

And I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News in Washington.

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