Pope Leo XIV’s first Christmas Mass will be broadcast from the Vatican on ABC TV on Christmas Day. Source: Catholic Outlook.
As we approach the joyful season of Christmas, ABC TV confirmed its festive programming schedule, offering opportunities for prayer, reflection, and shared celebration as we welcome the birth of Christ.
The highlight of this year’s schedule is the Pope’s Christmas Mass at St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, airing on December 25 from 9.30am to 11.30am AEDT.
This broadcast allows the faithful to join the Holy Father in the universal celebration of the Nativity of the Lord.
For those unable to watch live, the Mass will be available on ABC iView for a month following the broadcast.
ABC will also feature a range of other Christmas programs in the lead-up to and on Christmas Day:
- Sunday, December 21, 11.30am – Songs of Praise: Carols for Christmas Eve, a beloved musical celebration of traditional carols.
- Tuesday, December 23, 7.30pm – The Piano UK: at Christmas, a special festive edition featuring heartfelt performances.
- Thursday, December 25, 5pm – Royal Carols: Together at Christmas 2025, blending music and reflection from the UK’s annual Christmas event.
- Thursday, December 25, 7.30pm – The King’s Christmas Message 2025, offering Christmas reflections from King Charles III.
- Thursday 25 December, 7.40pm – The Royal Variety Performance 2025, an evening of entertainment showcasing artists from across the globe.
In Melbourne and Geelong, free-to-air community channel C31 (channel 44 on digital TV) will broadcast Christmas Masses live from St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne.
Two Masses will be televised on C31 on Christmas Day – Midnight Mass (12am) and the 11am Christmas Day Mass.
FULL STORY
Christmas on ABC: Broadcast opportunities for prayer, reflection and celebration (Catholic Outlook)
Join Us for Christmas (Melbourne Archdiocese Facebook page)
