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Saint Peter’s, one of the world’s oldest rock churches, is a sacred rallying point for the isolated Christians still left in quake-hit Antakya in southeastern Turkey, the city known in ancient times as Antioch. “Since the earthquake, our community has scattered,” said worshipper Mari Ibri.”Those who remain are trying to regroup. We each had our own church but, like mine, they have been destroyed.”The landscape around the cave remains scarred by the disaster nearly three years ago, when two earthquakes devastated Hatay province on February 6, 2023 and its jewel, Antakya, the gateway to Syria.Sad fields of rubble and the silhouettes of cracked, abandoned buildings still scar the city — all enveloped in the ever-present grey dust.Since the earthquakes, Antakya city has emptied and the Christian community has shrunk from 350 families to fewer than 90, Father Dimitri Dogum told AFP.”Before, Christmas at our house was grandiose,” Ibri recalled.”Our churches were full. People came from everywhere.”Ibri’s own church in the city centre was rendered inaccessible by the earthquakes.Now she and other worshippers gather at the cave on December 24 — Christmas Eve in some Christian calendars.It is here, they believe, that Peter, the disciple Jesus assigned to found the Christian church, held his first religious service in the 1st century.The rock church was later enlarged and 11th-century crusaders added a pale stone facade.It is now a museum, opened to the faithful only on rare occasions.Christmas Eve is one.The morning sun was still glowing red in the sky when Fadi Hurigil, leader of Antakya’s Orthodox Christian community, and his assistants prepared the service.They draped the stone altar and unpacked candles, holy oil, chalices and plastic chairs.Out in front they placed figurines of Christ and three saints near a bottle of rough red wine, bread baskets and presents for the children.The sound system played a recording of the bells of Saint Peter and Paul church, which now stands empty in Antakya city centre.”That was my church,” said Ibri, crossing herself. “They recorded the peals.”Around one hundred worshippers soon squeezed into the incense-filled cave and at least as many congregated outside.A large police contingent looked on. Sniffer dogs had already inspected the cave and esplanade.”It’s normal,” said Iliye, a 72-year-old from Iskenderun, 60 kilometres (40 miles) further north. “We’re a minority. It’s to protect us.”The slow chanting of Orthodox hymns heralded the start of the two-hour service, conducted entirely in chants sung in Arabic and Turkish by Dogum and another cleric.”It’s very moving for us to be here in the world’s first cave church, where the first disciples gathered,” the priest said.”There used to be crowds here,” he added.”In 2022, there were at least 750 people outside, Christians and non-Christians alike.” Since the earthquakes, the gathering has been much smaller, although it is now starting to grow again.At the end of the service, when Christmas carols fill the air, Dogum and Hurigil cut a huge rectangular cake. The Nativity scene at its centre — Mary, baby Jesus, the ox and the ass — was edged with whipped cream.”There’s the religious dimension but it’s also important that people can gather here again,” a worshipper said.”After February 6, our fellow citizens scattered. But they’re starting to come back. We’re happy about that.”

Pope Leo XIV condemned the “senselessness” of war and the “open wounds” it leaves behind, as he delivered his first Christmas message on Thursday after a year marked by conflict but also hopes for peace in Gaza and Ukraine.In Bethlehem, the Christian community celebrated its first festive Christmas in more than two years as the occupied West Bank city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza.Pope Leo, who was elected in May after the death of his predecessor Pope Francis, spoke of Gaza during a mass in St Peter’s basilica, saying: “How… can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold”.”Fragile is the flesh of defenceless populations, tried by so many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds,” the pope said at the mass in St Peter’s Basilica.Heavy rains have battered Gaza in recent days — compounding the harsh conditions of the Palestinian territory’s residents, nearly all of whom were displaced during the war.The UN has said that an estimated 1.3 million people currently need shelter assistance in Gaza and has warned of the increasing risk of hypothermia as temperatures dip.”The war, in all its forms, has been harsh on everyone living on this land,” Elias al-Jalda, a Palestinian Christian from Gaza, told AFP after attending a Christmas mass at Gaza’s only Roman Catholic Church late on Wednesday.”We hope this year will mark the beginning of a new phase — one defined by a complete end to the war and the return of life to Gaza,” said Jalda, one of dozens attending the mass.Rami al-Far, another attendee, said: “Our celebrations are very limited. We try to live as best we can with what we have.”- Joy in Bethlehem -Hundreds of worshippers also gathered for mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Wednesday night as the Palestinian city ushered in its first festive Christmas during the Gaza war.Throughout the conflict that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, a sombre tone had marked Christmases in the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.But celebrations returned Wednesday with parades and music in the West Bank city, as a fragile truce held in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people face winter in makeshift tents.With pews of the Church of the Nativity filled long before midnight, many stood or sat on the floor for the traditional mass to usher in Christmas Day.At 11:15 pm (2115 GMT) organ music rang out as a procession of dozens of clergymen entered, followed by Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who blessed the crowd with signs of the cross. Hundreds took part in the parade down Bethlehem’s narrow Star Street on Wednesday, while a dense crowd massed in the square.”Today is full of joy because we haven’t been able to celebrate because of the war,” said Milagros Anstas, 17.Men dressed as Santa Claus sold toffee apples and toys as families took photographs in front of a nativity scene framed by a giant star. As darkness fell, multi-coloured lights shone over Manger Square and a towering Christmas tree glittered next to the Church of the Nativity.The basilica dates back to the fourth century and was built on top of a grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born more than 2,000 years ago.- Hope in Syria -In Syria, Christmas lights illuminated Damascus’s Old City despite the Christian community’s fears of violence after a deadly attack in June.Around the district, home to several important churches, red baubles hung from trees, shopkeepers put up Christmas decorations and street vendors peddled warm chestnuts.”Syria deserves joy and for us to be happy, and to hope for a new future,” said student Loris Aasaf, 20.- California storm -In stark contrast to the messages of religious leaders, US President Donald Trump wished a Merry Christmas “to everyone, including the radical left-wing scum”, referring to Democrats.Severe weather disrupted the holiday season in California where authorities, fearing flooding, have declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and ordered evacuations.In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a sombre message after the deadly attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14.”After the terror inflicted on Jewish Australia celebrating Hanukkah and Bondi Beach, we feel the weight of sorrow in our hearts,” he said

Pope Leo XIV is expected to renew his calls for peace Thursday when he delivers his first Christmas blessing from St Peter’s Basilica at the end of a year overshadowed by conflict, but also marked by hopes for peace in Gaza. In Bethlehem, the Christian community celebrated its first festive Christmas in more than two years as the occupied West Bank city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza. However, the Pope’s call this week for a one-day global truce went unheeded in Ukraine, where fighting continued, as the pontiff prepared to deliver his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing at 12:00 (1100 GMT) — during which popes usually speak about conflicts around the world and urge peace.Before the address, the Pope celebrated his first Christmas Mass Wednesday evening where he described the celebration as a feast of “faith, charity and hope”.He also spoke in front of St Peter’s Basilica to offer Christmas wishes and thank those who had come to follow the mass on outdoor screens despite rainy weather.”St Peter’s is very large but unfortunately it is not large enough to receive all of you,” he told the crowd of around 5,000 people.Leo will also hold another mass on Christmas Day, renewing a tradition from the times of late pope John Paul II (1978-2005).- Celebration in Bethlehem -Hundreds of worshippers also gathered for mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Wednesday night as the Palestinian city ushered in its first festive Christmas during the Gaza war.Throughout the conflict that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, a sombre tone had marked Christmases in the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.But celebrations returned Wednesday with parades and music in the West Bank city, as a fragile truce held in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people face winter in makeshift tents.With pews of the Church of the Nativity filled long before midnight, many stood or sat on the floor for the traditional mass to usher in Christmas Day.At 11:15 pm (2115 GMT) organ music rang out as a procession of dozens of clergymen entered, followed by Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who blessed the crowd with signs of the cross. In his homily, Pizzaballa urged peace, hope and rebirth, saying the Nativity story still held relevance in the turbulence of modern times.He also spoke of his visit to Gaza over the weekend, where he said “suffering is still present” despite the ceasefire.”The wounds are deep, yet I have to say, here too, there too, their proclamation of Christmas resounds,” he said. “When I met them, I was struck by their strength and desire to start over.”- ‘Desire of life’ -Hundreds took part in the parade down Bethlehem’s narrow Star Street on Wednesday, while a dense crowd massed in the square.”Today is full of joy because we haven’t been able to celebrate because of the war,” said Milagros Anstas, 17.Men dressed as Santa Claus sold toffee apples and toys as families took photographs in front of a nativity scene framed by a giant star. As darkness fell, multi-coloured lights shone over Manger Square and a towering Christmas tree glittered next to the Church of the Nativity.The basilica dates back to the fourth century and was built on top of a grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born more than 2,000 years ago.Bethlehem residents hoped the return of Christmas festivities would breathe life back into the city.”We need to get the message to the whole world and this is the only way,” said George Hanna, from the neighbouring town of Beit Jala.In Syria, Christmas lights illuminated Damascus’s Old City despite the Christian community’s fears of violence after a deadly attack in June.Around the district, home to several important churches, red baubles hung from trees, shopkeepers put up Christmas decorations and street vendors peddled warm chestnuts.”Syria deserves joy and for us to be happy, and to hope for a new future,” said student Loris Aasaf, 20.- Sombre festivities -In stark contrast to the messages of religious leaders, US President Donald Trump wished a Merry Christmas “to everyone, including the radical left-wing scum”, referring to Democrats.Severe weather disrupted the holiday season in California where authorities, fearing dangerous flooding, have declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and ordered evacuations.In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a sombre message after the deadly attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14.”After the terror inflicted on Jewish Australia celebrating Hanukkah and Bondi Beach, we feel the weight of sorrow in our hearts.”

Turkish democracy has taken a heavy beating since the jailing of Istanbul’s popular opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, his wife told AFP, saying it has been painful for his family but that the ordeal has made them stronger.  “It’s an extremely difficult time for our children and for me… but we hold onto one another,” Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, 51, told AFP in her first interview with foreign media. Her husband — the only politician seen as capable of beating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — faces 2,430 years in prison from a blizzard of charges many see as a bid to stop him standing against Erdogan in 2028.But Dilek Kaya Imamoglu said they have taken strength from her husband’s message “to never lose hope”. Imamoglu’s arrest in March, just before he was named as the main opposition CHP’s candidate for the presidential race, sparked Turkey’s worst bout of street unrest since 2013. He is accused of heading a sprawling criminal network and exerting influence “like an octopus” in a 4,000-page indictment that covers everything from graft and bribery to money laundering. The first court hearing is set for March 9.But his wife warned that “the public conscience cannot be silenced. These hardships do not lead me to despair but to solidarity. I trust the will and conscience of the people,” she said.  ‘Freedom is in my mind’-She described how hundreds of police descended on the Istanbul mayor’s home on the morning of his arrest. “I was shocked by what I saw… My heart felt like it was beating outside my chest. I will never forget the worry in our children’s eyes.”But Imamoglu turned to them and said: “We will hold our heads high and never lose hope.” “And instead of bowing to it, we chose to fight,” his wife said. Dilek Kaya Imamoglu said the family is allowed weekly visits to see him in Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, where several other leading opponents of Erdogan are also being held.Despite the serious charges he is facing, Imamoglu’s spirit is high, she said. She described those moments as “very precious, but also very heavy”.Her husband “resists by working, taking notes, generating new ideas for our country’s future and reading books”. “‘My freedom is in my mind,’ he says. Messages of solidarity, letters, and visitors give him incredible strength. It helps him feel that he is not alone inside, but together with millions.”- Western silence ‘disappointed us’-Rights groups have accused Europe of turning a deaf ear to what they call the erosion of the rule of law and judicial independence in Turkey, as they lash out at a government crackdown on opponents and the jailing of Erdogan’s political rivals. “Frankly, this silence has disappointed us,” Dilek Kaya Imamoglu said. “While the will of millions in Turkey is being ignored, countries that claim to defend democracy have often chosen to remain silent,” she said. But she added: “Our greatest support is not international reaction, but the solidarity of millions in Turkey who believe in justice, freedom and democracy”.She also expressed her solidarity with the families of other leading figures who have fallen foul of Erdogan, including popular Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas and philanthropist Osman Kavala, both of whom have been behind bars for nearly a decade.-‘We are not alone’-“Today I share the patience and resilience of the spouses of Selahattin Demirtas and Osman Kavala,” Dilek Kaya Imamoglu told AFP in the written interview. “The endurance of the families of those unjustly and unlawfully deprived of their freedom guides me, because we are not alone,” the author and activist added. Asked if she worries Imamoglu might face a similar fate, she said: “As a spouse, it is impossible not to worry. Decisions by the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court are being ignored. Our constitution is not being applied, and attempts are being made to normalise lawlessness.”With “so much injustice”, it is impossible to predict the outcome of her husband’s case, said Dilek Kaya Imamoglu.”But I want to believe that justice will be applied equally for all, and that Ekrem (Imamoglu) and his colleagues will eventually be acquitted, for the sake of all 86 million citizens of our country.”Dilek Kaya Imamoglu has stepped into the spotlight while her husband is in jail, attending rallies and meeting the families of the party’s other jailed officials in an effort to keep their cases in the public eye.  But she ruled out entering politics. “The politician in our household is Ekrem,” she said.But she was determined to do her bit to repair the “heavy wounds” she said democracy has suffered in Turkey.”Press freedom, judicial independence, and fundamental rights and freedoms are under pressure,” she said. But she remains optimistic. “No matter how intense the pressure, the conscience of the people will ultimately prevail. That is where I draw my hope.”