Pope Leo XIV Delivers Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing for 2025

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Vatican City, December 25, 2025 — Under a crisp winter sky and before tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing, offering a message of hope, reconciliation, and global solidarity as the world enters 2026. Stepping onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at noon, the 88‑year‑old pontiff greeted the faithful in Rome and millions watching via broadcast and livestream around the world. The traditional proclamation, “To the city and to the world,” carried renewed significance as the…

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Austria: 2026 brings higher costs and new rules for motorists

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Motorists can expect new taxes, rules, and obligations in the new year 2026—from the last adhesive vignette to higher fees and stricter driver’s license regulations. The vignette price will be adjusted for inflation: in 2026, the annual vignette will cost €106.80 for a car (three euros more than in 2025) and €42.70 for a motorcycle (plus €1.20). The shorter-term variants (2-month, 10-day, and daily vignettes) will also be adjusted accordingly. Adjustments to insurance tax and NoVA There will be an increase in the engine-related insurance tax for new registrations. For…

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Christmas weather: The sun returns

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Austria can expect calm and sunny weather for the next few days. According to Thursday’s forecast by Geosphere Austria, high pressure will increasingly spread across the country starting on St. Stephen’s Day. The northeast should also see a few hours of sunshine. Temperatures could reach double digits, most likely in the west of the country. Today, St. Stephen’s Day, high pressure will increasingly prevail. In the morning, residual high fog-like clouds will linger, especially in the southeast and south. Early morning fog is expected in the Danube region and the…

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Pope Leo XIV at Christmas Mass: “Let Us Proclaim the Joy of Christmas”

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Vatican City, December 24, 2025 – In his first Christmas Eve Mass as pope, Leo XIV called the faithful to rediscover the humility of God made human, urging them to “look not upward, but downward” to find the Savior. The newly elected pontiff delivered his homily before 6,000 worshippers inside St. Peter’s Basilica, while another 5,000 followed the liturgy from the rain‑soaked St. Peter’s Square. Before entering the basilica, Pope Leo greeted those gathered outside who had been unable to obtain admission tickets due to overwhelming demand. “Buonasera, benvenuti tutti,”…

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24th or 25th – So When Is Christmas Really Celebrated?

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Across the Christian world, Christmas does not begin at the same moment. While many people celebrate on December 24th, others mark the holiday only on December 25th. The reasons lie in differing religious traditions, calendar systems, and cultural understandings of when a day begins. Why December 24th Dominates in Central and Western Europe In much of Western and Central Europe, Christmas Eve on December 24th is the emotional and liturgical heart of the holiday. This tradition has deep historical roots. Early Christianity was shaped by Jewish timekeeping, in which a…

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Vienna Wakes to First White Christmas Since 2012: Snowfall Transforms Austria on Christmas Eve 2025

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Vienna, 24 December 2025 — For the first time in more than a decade, Vienna celebrated a true White Christmas as steady snowfall swept across Austria on Christmas Eve, blanketing the capital in a soft layer of winter white. Meteorologists had hinted at the possibility earlier this week, but few expected the rare event to materialize so perfectly — and so festively. Forecasts from Geosphere Austria and local weather services had already raised hopes, noting that cold air from the northeast and a Mediterranean low would collide over the country,…

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Christmas Message for Our Filipino Community in Austria and Beyond

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This Christmas, we celebrate the light that Filipinos carry wherever we go—across oceans, across seasons, and across every challenge of life abroad. Whether you’re spending the holidays here in Austria, back home in the Philippines, or somewhere in between, may this season remind you of the strength of our faith, the warmth of our traditions, and the joy of being part of a global Filipino family. From our newsroom to your home: Maligayang Pasko! May your days be filled with hope, connection, and the comforting glow of a parol shining…

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A Filipino Christmas in Austria: Keeping Light, Faith, and Community Alive in a New Home

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When December settles over Austria—bringing early sunsets, crisp air, and the glow of Advent markets—Filipinos across the country begin preparing for a celebration that is both deeply traditional and beautifully adaptive. Christmas, the most cherished season in the Philippines, becomes a bridge between homeland and diaspora, weaving together memories of tropical nights with the snowy charm of Central Europe. For the roughly 35,000 Filipinos living in Austria, Christmas is more than a holiday. It is a lifeline to identity, a reaffirmation of faith, and a joyful reunion of a community…

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Banks warn: High risk of phishing around Christmas

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Austrian banks warn that phishing attacks increase during the Christmas season. The number of phishing attacks increases during the Christmas season: Austrian banks are currently seeing an increase in such attacks and are warning customers not to disclose confidential information or authorize unwanted transactions. In phishing incidents, perpetrators often pose as bank employees and attempt to obtain customers’ passwords, account information, or credit card details via telephone, text message, or email. Victims are often lured to fake websites. According to the Austrian Banking Association, fake messages referring to alleged account…

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