Winsor Johnston

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.

Christians performed midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity last night in Bethlehem, where Christians believed 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-Shauchi reports from Bethlehem.

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.

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 Schultz reports the EU says it will do whatever it takes to preserve its right to regulate as it sees fit.

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 Post'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.

But as Brian Bull from member station KLCC reports, there's a growing demand for more diverse depictions.

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