The Catholic Church celebrates the second day of Christmas on Thursday, which is dedicated to the memory of Stephen – the first martyr. On Wednesday, an Embraer 190 crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. In his Christmas message, Pope Francis called for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. Here are five things to know on Thursday, December 26.
1. Boxing Day
On the second day of Christmas, the Catholic Church commemorates Saint Stephen – the first martyr. He was one of the seven apostles chosen by the apostles to serve the poor, thus wanting to relieve the disciples of Jesus Christ and give them more time to preach the Gospel. He was accused by the council of breaking the law and stoned to death. On the second day of Christmas, Catholics are not obliged to attend Holy Mass, although according to tradition, liturgies are celebrated in churches as on any Sunday.
2. Plane crash in Kazakhstan
The Embraer 190 plane of Azerbaijan Airlines, which was flying to Chechnya, crashed on Wednesday morning near the city of Aktau on the coast of the Caspian Sea. 38 out of 67 people died. The rest are injured, some of them are in serious condition.
READ ALSO: He recorded the last moments before the tragedy
Plane crash in Kazakhstan
3. The situation after the massive Russian attack in Ukraine
After Russia launched a massive attack on Ukrainian energy facilities Tuesday night into Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said “Putin deliberately chose Christmas as the day to carry out the attack.” – What could be more inhuman than this? he asked.
The American side also explained this attack. US President Joe Biden called the Russian attack a “scandal” and announced that he had ordered the Pentagon to continue increasing arms shipments to Ukraine. And General Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump's future envoy for Ukraine and Russia, wrote on social networks that “Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, but on Christmas day Ukraine was brutally attacked.” “On the day of God's birthday, massive missile attacks and drone attacks are wrong,” he stressed.
4. Christmas Message of Pope Francis
Pope Francis sent a Christmas message on Christmas Day. He called for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. He also spoke about countries in Africa and South America that have been torn apart by conflicts and humanitarian crises. Tens of thousands of people listened to the memorial service in Peter's Square.
Christmas Message of Pope FrancisTVN24
5. The personal tone of the royal Christmas message
In his Christmas message on Wednesday, Britain's King Charles III thanked the doctors and nurses who treated him and the royal family this year. The monarch and his daughter-in-law, Duchess Kate, underwent cancer treatment in 2024.
– I would like to express my special and sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses who supported me and other members of my family this year despite the anxiety related to the disease. They brought us the necessary strength, care and comfort, said the king.
Main photo source: KAZAKHSTAN MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY/PAP/EPA
