Pope Leo XIV delivered a poignant Christmas Day message on December 25, 2023, urging the faithful to confront indifference towards suffering around the globe. Speaking from the loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square, he highlighted the plight of those who have lost everything, particularly focusing on regions such as Gaza and Yemen, as well as the challenges faced by migrants crossing perilous routes in search of a better future.
The first American pope addressed a crowd of approximately 26,000 people during the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” address, which translates to “To the City and to the World.” Despite a steady downpour that dampened the early Mass held in St. Peter’s Basilica, the rain subsided just in time for the pope’s appearance in the popemobile. This year, he revived the custom of offering Christmas greetings in multiple languages, receiving warm applause when he spoke in his native English and Spanish, reflecting his deep ties to Peru, where he served as a missionary and later as archbishop.
In his address, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of humility and responsibility in contributing to peace. He remarked, “If we truly enter into the suffering of others and stand in solidarity with the weak and the oppressed, then the world would change.” He called for “justice, peace and stability” in regions such as Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, and Syria, and prayed for the “tormented people of Ukraine” as well as victims of wars and political instability in countries like Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Congo.
The pope’s message extended to the need for dialogue in addressing numerous challenges in Latin America, promoting reconciliation in Myanmar, and the restoration of ties between Thailand and Cambodia. He also acknowledged the suffering of individuals affected by natural disasters in regions such as South Asia and Oceania.
Pope Leo reflected on the significance of Jesus’ birth, stating, “In becoming man, Jesus took upon himself our fragility, identifying with each one of us: with those who have nothing left and have lost everything, like the inhabitants of Gaza; with those who are prey to hunger and poverty, like the Yemeni people.” He also paid tribute to those seeking employment, particularly the youth, underpaid workers, and individuals in prison.
Earlier in the day, he led the Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, which was beautifully adorned with floral arrangements and red poinsettias. During his homily, he reinforced that peace can only be achieved through dialogue. “There will be peace when our monologues are interrupted and, enriched by listening, we fall to our knees before the humanity of the other,” he emphasized.
Pope Leo further addressed the situation in Gaza, where people have endured harsh weather conditions, and he expressed deep concern for “young people forced to take up arms.” He criticized the rhetoric of those who send them into conflict, highlighting the senselessness that often accompanies such decisions.
In his Christmas Eve sermon, the pope urged Christians to reflect on the message that Jesus’ humble beginnings should remind them that neglecting the poor and the stranger equates to rejecting God himself. He underscored that there is no room for God on earth if there is no room for humanity. “To refuse one is to refuse the other,” he stated.
This Christmas marks the conclusion of the Holy Year celebrations, which will culminate on January 6, 2024, during the Catholic Epiphany holiday, commemorating the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. As Pope Leo XIV embarks on his papacy, his commitment to addressing issues of migration, poverty, and social justice continues to resonate with a global audience.
