VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV held the first Christmas mass of his pontificate on Wednesday, greeting thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square before the service. During the mass, Leo said Christmas was a feast of "faith, charity and hope" and criticized a "distorted economy" that "leads us to treat human beings as mere merchandise." Before, he 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. The US pope has adopted a more discreet and moderate style to that of his charismatic predecessor Francis, who died on April 21. The mass was attended by high-ranking Church figures, diplomats and around 6,000 faithful. Leo stuck to a very religious homily without any direct reference to current affairs. The ceremony celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of the most important days in the Catholic Church calendar. The service combines traditional music with symbolic gestures such as placing a statue of the baby Jesus in a cradle. The 70-year-old pope decided to hold the mass at a later time than under the more elderly Francis who would hold Christmas mass at around 1830 GMT. In another change, Leo will hold another mass on Christmas Day on Thursday, renewing a tradition from the times of late pope John Paul II (1978-2005). He will then give his "Urbi et Orbi" blessing at 1100 GMT from the balcony of the basilica -- during which popes usually speak about conflicts around the world and call for peace. Leo on Tuesday called for a global truce around the world on Christmas Day, expressing "great sadness" that "apparently Russia rejected a request" for one in Ukraine. "I am renewing my request to all people of good will to respect a day of peace -- at least on the feast of the birth of our Saviour," Leo told reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome. Christmas 2025 also marks the end of the Catholic Church's Jubilee Holy Year, which has brought millions of pilgrims to Rome.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 10 saat, 40 dakika

Ngayong Huwebes (December 25), hindi na kaya ni Tonyo (Dennis Trillo) na itago pa ang kanyang feelings para kay Bobby (Jennylyn Mercado)! Mapapanood ang 'Sanggang-Dikit FR' weeknights, 8:55 p.m., pagkatapos ng 'Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre' sa GMA at Kapuso Stream. May delayed telecast din ito sa GTV sa oras na 10:30 ng gabi.

• GMA Network
• 3 gün, 10 saat, 43 dakika

Kapuso actress Glaiza De Castro offered words of comfort to those spending Christmas while mourning the loss of a loved one, reminding them they are not alone during the holidays.

• GMA Network
• 3 gün, 10 saat, 55 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — Forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun has taken note of the lapses in the way forensic investigators have handled the case on the death of Maria Catalina Cabral— from the custody of the victim’s personal belongings to the autopsy. This was after the authorities had ruled the death of the former Public Works and Highways undersecretary Cabral as a suicide. Cabral was a key figure in the corruption scandal now besetting the Marcos administration. She was declared dead in the early hours of Dec. 19 after she fell into a ravine in Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet. This was […]... Keep on reading: Lapses in Cabral case: Forensic expert lists them

• Inquirer
• 3 gün, 10 saat, 59 dakika

Almost a month after they announced their wedding, celebrity couple Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte are expecting their first child together.  Andalio shared the news on Thursday, Dec. 25, through an Instagram Reel that features her baby bump. The actress donned a white dress and later a swimsuit.  In the video, Andalio and Alonte held up signs that read “Mommy next year” and “Daddy next year,” respectively.  In the caption, Andalio called her pregnancy the biggest blessing she and Alonte have received.  “Baby Jesus, maraming maraming salamat sa pinakamalaking blessing na ipinagkaloob mo sa amin ni R2 (Baby Jesus, thank […]... Keep on reading: Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte expecting first child

• Inquirer
• 3 gün, 10 saat, 59 dakika

Suportahan sa mga sinehan ang hotly-anticipated Metro Manila Film Fest entry na 'Love You So Bad'.

• GMA Network
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 6 dakika

Suportahan sa mga sinehan ang hotly-anticipated Metro Manila Film Fest entry na 'Love You So Bad'.

• GMA Network
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 6 dakika

From “Stranger Things” to the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, these will keep you occupied this holiday season.... Keep on reading: What to stream: ‘Stranger Things,’ Jennifer Lawrence, ‘Ne Zha II,’ and Kate Winslet

• Inquirer
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 6 dakika

Ngayong Huwebes (December 25), muling malalagay sa panganib ang buhay ni Hope (Kate Valdez). Subaybayan ang mapangahas na drama na 'Unica Hija' weekdays, 4:30 p.m., pagkatapos ng 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda' sa GMA at Kapuso Stream.

• GMA Network
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 6 dakika

CONGRATS, LOINIE! LOOK: Celebrity couple Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte, popularly called as LoiNie, are expecting their first child, the actress announced on social media. "To our little miracle, sobrang excited na kami na makilala ka. Ikaw ang aming panalangin na sinagot at

• NewsWatch Plus
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 7 dakika

NEW YORK, United States — Major US stock indices finished at fresh records Wednesday following a shortened pre-holiday session while gold and silver prices also struck fresh highs. Both the Dow and S&P 500 closed at all-time highs, drifting higher consistent with typical holiday season patterns. “It’s a continuation of a market that’s trading at a record high, and I think there’s a little bit of a seasonality bias that’s kicking in here without any upsetting news to alter the trend at the moment,” said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O’Hare. “You have a bullish bias in this market, which is being helped […]... Keep on reading: Dow, S&P 500 end at records amid talk of Santa rally

• Inquirer
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 9 dakika

CONGRATULATIONS, LOINIE! ? Actress Loisa Andalio officially announced that she is expecting her first child with her husband, Ronnie Alonte. "Baby Jesus, maraming maraming salamat sa pinakamalaking blessing na ipinagkaloob mo sa amin ni R2. You trusted us with a miracle

• Philstar.com
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 30 dakika

LIBRENG SAKAY SA TREN LOOK: Commuters may avail of free rides at the MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 today, Dec. 25, the DOTr says. DOTr

• NewsWatch Plus
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 31 dakika

TV-movie actress Loisa Andalio and husband Ronnie Alonte got the best Christmas gift this year with the confirmation that they are expecting a baby. A few days after tying the knot in November 2025 , Loisa announced that they are expecting their first baby on Christmas Day. “Baby Jesus, maraming maraming salamat sa pinakamalaking blessing na ipinagkaloob mo sa amin ni R2. You trusted us with a miracle we've been quietly holding close to our hearts.” Loisa expressed her gratitude. She then added, “Ngayon lang kami nakaramdam ng ganitong klaseng pagmamahal, isang pagmamahal na napakalalim para sa isang taong hindi pa namin nakikilala. “To our little miracle, sobrang excited na kami na makilala ka. Ikaw ang aming panalangin na sinagot at ang regalong magbabago sa aming buhay ngayong Pasko.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by JOSEFINA LOISA FRANCISCO ANDALIO (@iamandalioloisa) Several celebrities congratulated the Alonte couple including Sangˈgre star Diana Zubiri and It's Showtime host Jackie Gonzaga. Celebs react to Loisa's baby announcement Source: iamandalioloisa (IG) Prior to their wedding, Loisa and Ronnie marked their ninth anniversary last February 2025. Meanwhile, Loisa is also part of the horror flick Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins , an official Metro Manila Film Fest entry, which is now showing in cinemas nationwide. RELATED CONTENT: Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte's official wedding photos

• GMA Network
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 31 dakika

TV-movie actress Loisa Andalio and husband Ronnie Alonte got the best Christmas gift this year with the confirmation that they are expecting a baby. A few days after tying the knot in November 2025 , Loisa announced that they are expecting their first baby on Christmas Day. “Baby Jesus, maraming maraming salamat sa pinakamalaking blessing na ipinagkaloob mo sa amin ni R2. You trusted us with a miracle we've been quietly holding close to our hearts.” Loisa expressed her gratitude. She then added, “Ngayon lang kami nakaramdam ng ganitong klaseng pagmamahal, isang pagmamahal na napakalalim para sa isang taong hindi pa namin nakikilala. “To our little miracle, sobrang excited na kami na makilala ka. Ikaw ang aming panalangin na sinagot at ang regalong magbabago sa aming buhay ngayong Pasko.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by JOSEFINA LOISA FRANCISCO ANDALIO (@iamandalioloisa) Several celebrities congratulated the Alonte couple including Sangˈgre star Diana Zubiri and It's Showtime host Jackie Gonzaga. Celebs react to Loisa's baby announcement Source: iamandalioloisa (IG) Prior to their wedding, Loisa and Ronnie marked their ninth anniversary last February 2025. Meanwhile, Loisa is also part of the horror flick Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins , an official Metro Manila Film Fest entry, which is now showing in cinemas nationwide. RELATED CONTENT: Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte's official wedding photos

• GMA Network
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 31 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — Light traffic was observed on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) on the morning of Christmas Day, Dec. 25, the NLex Corporation reported. READ: Christmas rush: Over 1M travelers flock to PITX in last 5 days Based on its traffic update, the NLEx Corporation observed that the following sections were experiencing light traffic as of 8:15 a.m.: Light traffic was also observed in all other areas of the NLEx–SCTEx–NLEx Connector, including the toll plazas and interchanges. The SCTEx pertains to the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway while the NLEx Connector refers to the extension up […]... Keep on reading: Light traffic observed on NLEx, SCtex on Christmas Day

• Inquirer
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 34 dakika