Author: admin

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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Auroras Could Appear in Austria Once or Twice in 2026, Experts Say

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Despite the Sun gradually moving toward its next activity minimum, scientists still see a realistic chance of auroras being visible from Austria in 2026. According to space‑weather researcher Christian Möstl of the Austrian Space Weather Office at GeoSphere Austria, three to five geomagnetic storms strong enough to trigger auroras over Central Europe are expected next year. If weather conditions cooperate, this could translate into one or two opportunities to witness the aurora borealis from Austrian skies. Solar Activity Declining After 2024 Peak The Sun reached the maximum of its current…

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Austrians still have 6.8 billion schillings hidden away

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The amount of un-converted schillings has only decreased marginally compared to last year. At the end of November 2024, there was still 6.822 billion of the old currency (494.5 million euros), and at the same time this year, there was still 6.805 billion schillings hidden away in forgotten hiding places and elsewhere. From December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025, 17.4 million schillings were exchanged for 1.26 million euros, according to an APA inquiry to the Austrian National Bank (OeNB). Converted, the outstanding amount of schillings fell from 495.8 to…

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Filipino Catholics in Vienna Flock to Churches for Simbang Gabi Traditions

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Since December 15, 2025, mostly at 19 Hours, Filipino Catholics across Vienna have been gathering in large numbers at various churches to celebrate Simbang Gabi, the beloved nine‑day novena Mass deeply rooted in Philippine tradition. Despite the winter chill and the busy holiday season, the devotion remains strong, echoing the same spirit found in parishes throughout the Philippines. Simbang Gabi, traditionally held before dawn in the Philippines, has been adapted to evening schedules in Vienna to accommodate work and school commitments. Yet the essence of the celebration remains unchanged. Many…

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