After an intense day of celebration and prayer, which saw the return of many pilgrims, the Holy Night celebrations begin. In the cave where Jesus was born, everything is ready to welcome him back. The first Mass in the cave of the Nativity at midnight was celebrated by Brother Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land. At the same time, at the Shepherds' Field, Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Adolfo Tito Yllana, apostolic nuncio to Israel and Cyprus and apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine. The solemn celebration, bringing together hundreds of local Christians, pilgrims and dignitaries, was held in St. Catherine Church, a few meters from the Grotto of the Nativity. As per tradition, the Mass was presided over by H.B. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins. Abu Mazen, president of the Palestinian National Authority, and members of the government were also present. In his homily, the patriarch stressed that "with the Christmas of Christ, something begins to change. A new opportunity for relations between people is born, a new way of life based on the dignity of every man and woman." HB PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA "In a world full of violence, as we see, at all levels, it seems that violence has become our only language. Christmas, Jesus, this child who is born here, reminds us that we have the duty of mercy, compassion and forgiveness." At the end of the Mass, the most touching moment, with the procession to the Grotto of the Nativity with the Child Jesus.