Pope Leo XIV’s First Christmas Mass
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his inaugural Christmas Mass on Wednesday night at St. Peter’s Basilica, delivering a poignant message centered on charity and hope. His address resonated with nearly 6,000 attendees, including religious and diplomatic authorities.
A Warm Welcome in St. Peter’s Square
Prior to the Mass, Pope Leo XIV ventured into St. Peter’s Square to greet approximately 5,000 faithful who were watching the ceremony via large screens, due to limited seating inside the basilica coupled with persistent rain. In an encouraging message delivered in English, the pope expressed his admiration for their stamina, acknowledging, “St. Peter’s Basilica is very big, but unfortunately not enough to receive you all. I admire and respect you, and I thank you for your courage and desire to be here tonight.”
A Message of Dignity and Faith
Once inside, the pope delivered a heartfelt homily before cardinals, bishops, diplomats, and nearly 6,000 congregants. Leo XIV maintained a notably religious tone, avoiding direct commentary on the political climate. He emphasized the spiritual significance of Christmas and human dignity: “When a distorted economy leads to treating men as commodities, God becomes like us, revealing the infinite dignity of any person,” he articulated during his sermon.
Traditional Celebrations and Future Plans
The Mass featured traditional carols and biblical readings, embodying the essence of the Christmas Eve celebration. This marked a significant shift in papal observances under the new pontificate. Following this, on Thursday morning, Pope Leo XIV is set to resume the tradition of holding a Christmas Day Mass, a practice that was absent in recent years and echoes the legacy of Pope John Paul II.
Following the Mass, the pope plans to deliver the customary “urbi et orbi” blessing—meaning “to the city and the world”—from the iconic balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. This blessing typically includes comments on global conflicts and is aimed at fostering peace.
A Call for Peace
Pope Leo XIV continues to position himself as an advocate for peace, embodying the idea of being “disarmed and disarming.” His Christmas blessing is anticipated to reiterate calls for an end to violence and reconciliation among nations. Notably, this Christmas Eve, he called for a one-day truce in all armed conflicts worldwide to honor the spirit of the Christmas celebration.
A Special Jubilee Season
The Christmas of 2025 also marks the closing of the Jubilee, or Holy Year, an extraordinary event that drew millions of pilgrims to Rome throughout the year. The finale of this period imparts a deeper spiritual significance to the Christmas celebrations, particularly under the leadership of a pope embracing both tradition and spiritual renewal.
(With information from AFP)