In a heartfelt and powerful message delivered on Christmas Day, Pope Leo XIV urged the global faithful to shed indifference towards those suffering from crises around the world. Speaking from St. Peter’s Square, the U.S. pontiff highlighted the dire situations faced by individuals in places like Gaza, the impoverished regions of Yemen, and the countless migrants enduring perilous journeys across the Mediterranean and the Americas in search of a better life.
Pope Leo XIV addressed an audience of approximately 26,000 people during the traditional papal “Urbi et Orbi” address, a Latin phrase meaning “To the City and to the World.” This address serves as a poignant summary of the world's current challenges. Despite steady rain during the Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the weather cleared just in time for the pope’s brief tour of the square in his popemobile, where he warmly greeted the crowd from the loggia.
Significantly, Leo revived the tradition of delivering Christmas greetings in multiple languages, a practice that was abandoned by his predecessor, Pope Francis. His greetings in English and Spanish, reflective of his roots in the United States and his service in Peru, received particularly enthusiastic applause. The crowd erupted in cheers, with one individual shouting, “Viva il papa!” or “Long live the pope!” as Leo waved goodbye before returning inside the basilica.
During his address, Pope Leo emphasized that every individual has the power to contribute to peace through acts of humility and responsibility. “If we truly engage with the suffering of others and stand in solidarity with the weak and the oppressed, then the world will change,” he stated. He called for “justice, peace, and stability” in regions afflicted by turmoil, including Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Israel, and Syria. The pope also extended prayers for the “tormented people of Ukraine” and offered support for victims of wars, political instability, and religious persecution in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Congo.
Moreover, the pontiff highlighted the need for dialogue to tackle the numerous challenges faced by Latin America, reconciliation efforts in Myanmar, and the restoration of “the ancient friendship” between Thailand and Cambodia. He also called for assistance for those affected by natural disasters in South Asia and Oceania.
Pope Leo XIV poignantly reminded the faithful that in becoming man, Jesus embraced our fragility. He identified with those who have lost everything, including the inhabitants of Gaza, the impoverished Yemeni people, and the many refugees and migrants seeking safety and opportunity. He extended his thoughts to the unemployed, especially youth, underpaid workers, and those incarcerated.
Earlier in the day, Pope Leo led the Christmas Day Mass from the central altar beneath the ornate balustrade of St. Peter’s Basilica, adorned with floral decorations and clusters of red poinsettias. During his homily, he articulated that true peace can only emerge from 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 expressed.
He drew attention to the vulnerable populations in Gaza, who have faced weeks of harsh weather conditions, and the plight of “defenseless populations” suffering from the ravages of war. The pope empathized with young individuals forced into armed conflict, who grapple with the senselessness of their circumstances.
Thousands packed St. Peter’s Basilica for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Christmas Day Mass, many capturing the moment with their smartphones. This Christmas marks the conclusion of the Holy Year celebrations, culminating on January 6, during the Catholic Epiphany holiday that commemorates the visit of the three wise men to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem.
As Pope Leo XIV embarks on his papacy, his urgent call for compassion, justice, and peace resonates deeply, reminding all of us to act in solidarity with those in need.