The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of Scranton — reflecting on the message “God is here, everywhere” — celebrated the Pontifical Vigil Mass of Christmas on Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Cathedral in downtown Scranton. “My friends, for all the upheaval that we confront in our lives, the good news and blessing of Christmas is that ‘God is here, everywhere,’ ” the bishop said in his message. “He has already provided us a way forward with hope if we are wise and humble enough to trust in his presence, to embrace the message of salvation born in Bethlehem, and to walk with him as faithful disciples, making the pattern of his life our own for the sake of a broken world.”
A nativity scene is set up during Christmas Eve Pontifical Mass on at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton Wednesday, December 24, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Christmas Eve Pontifical Mass begins at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton Wednesday, December 24, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The evening sun shines through the windows of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton during the Christmas Eve Pontifical Mass Wednesday, December 24, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Bishop Joseph Bambera, right, leads the Christmas Eve Pontifical Mass on at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton Wednesday, December 24, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A parishioner kneels in the pews of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton during the Christmas Eve Pontifical Mass Wednesday, December 24, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)