Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Christmas Day address on Thursday, urging the faithful to abandon indifference toward those who have lost everything-Gaza, Yemen, and migrants crossing the Mediterranean and the Americas.
Urbi et Orbi Address
The new pontiff spoke to about 26,000 people from the loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square for the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” address. The crowd gathered under a steady downpour during the papal Mass inside St. Peter’s basilica; the rain had subsided by the time Leo took a brief tour of the square in the popemobile and then spoke from the loggia.
Reviving Multilingual Greetings
Leo revived the tradition of offering Christmas greetings in multiple languages, a practice his predecessor Pope Francis had abandoned. He greeted the crowd in his native English and Spanish-Spanish being the language of his adopted country, Peru, where he first served as a missionary and later as archbishop. The crowd cheered, shouting “Viva il papa!” or “Long live the pope!” before he retreated into the basilica, taking off his glasses for a final wave.
A Call for Humility, Responsibility, and Peace
During the address, the pope emphasized that everyone can help create peace by acting with humility and responsibility. He said, “If he would 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 Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Israel and Syria; prayers for “the tormented people of Ukraine”; and “peace and consolation” for victims of wars, injustice, political instability, religious persecution and terrorism, citing Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and Congo.
Dialogue for Global Challenges
Leo urged dialogue to address “numerous challenges” in Latin America, reconciliation in Myanmar, the restoration of “the ancient friendship between Thailand and Cambodia,” and assistance for those suffering from natural disasters in South Asia and Oceania. He remembered those who have lost jobs or are seeking work-especially young people, underpaid workers and those in prison.
Christmas Mass and the Message of Dialogue
Earlier that day, Leo led the Christmas Day Mass from the central altar beneath the balustrade of St. Peter’s Basilica, which was adorned with floral garlands, clusters of red poinsettias and white flowers at the feet of a statue of Mary. In his homily he said, “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 recalled the people of Gaza, “exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold,” and the fragility of defenseless populations, “tried by so many wars.” He also remembered young people forced to take up arms, who on the front lines feel the senselessness of what is asked of them and the falsehoods that fill the pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths.
Thousands packed the basilica, holding smartphones to capture images of the opening procession. This Christmas season marks the winding down of the Holy Year celebrations, which will close on Jan. 6, the Catholic Epiphany holiday.
Barry reported from Milan.
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV urged humility and solidarity for Gaza, Yemen, migrants, and global crises.
- He called for justice, peace, and stability in the Middle East and prayers for Ukraine.
- The Mass emphasized that peace arises through dialogue and listening.
The pope’s message highlighted the need for collective action to address suffering worldwide and reinforced the Church’s role in promoting peace and compassion during the holiday season.
