ROME — In a poignant and politically charged first Christmas message, Pope Leo XIV used his platform to decry the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and plead for an end to conflicts worldwide, signaling a continuation of his predecessor’s focus on social justice while imprinting his own quieter, diplomatic style.
Delivering the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”) blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the first American-born pope surveyed a world “speckled with conflicts” and called for compassion toward refugees and victims of war.
A Focus on Gaza’ ‘Fragile Tents’
The heart of his Christmas homily, however, returned repeatedly to the plight of Palestinians. During a packed Christmas Eve Mass, Leo reflected on the Christian story of Jesus born in a stable, saying God had “pitched his fragile tent” among humanity.
“How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?” he asked the congregation of thousands. He later expanded on this, stating that by becoming man, “Jesus took upon himself our fragility,” allowing him to identify “with those who have nothing left and have lost everything, like the inhabitants of Gaza.”
His words highlighted the dire conditions in the coastal enclave, where, despite an October ceasefire ending two years of intense bombardment, hundreds of thousands face a bleak winter in makeshift shelters. Humanitarian agencies report that aid remains insufficient for the largely destroyed strip, where nearly the entire population has been displaced.
A Call to Silence Guns Worldwide
The pope’s Christmas Day message broadened into a sweeping appeal for peace. He specifically prayed for “justice, peace and stability” in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Israel, and Syria, and for the “tormented people of Ukraine.”
“May the clamor of weapons cease, and may the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue,” Leo said, referring to the nearly four-year-old conflict. A day earlier, he had expressed “much sadness” that Russia had not agreed to a Christmas truce, hoping for “at least 24 hours” of peace.
His address also mentioned conflicts in Sudan, Mali, Myanmar, and tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. “Fragile is the flesh of defenceless populations, tried by so many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds,” he lamented.
Continuity and Change in the Papacy
Elected in May following the death of Pope Francis, Leo is known for a more understated and diplomatic approach but has not shied from substantive political commentary. In recent months, he has consistently highlighted the suffering in Gaza and affirmed that a two-state solution is the only path forward for Israel and Palestine.
He has also been outspoken on migrant rights. In his Christmas blessing, he called for compassion for those “fleeing their homeland to seek a future elsewhere,” crossing the Mediterranean or the Americas. In a September interview, he voiced concern over policies in his native United States, echoing his predecessor’s rebuke of aggressive deportation plans.
A Return of Joy in Bethlehem
The pope’s somber reflections contrasted with a renewed sense of celebration in Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus in the occupied West Bank. For the first time in over two years, the city hosted festive Christmas parades and gatherings, emerging from the shadow cast by the war in Gaza.
Hundreds filled the Church of the Nativity for midnight Mass, where Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, spoke of his recent visit to Gaza. “The wounds are deep, yet I have to say, here too, there too, the proclamation of Christmas resounds,” he said. “When I met them, I was struck by their strength and desire to start over.”
A Busy First Christmas
The 70-year-old pontiff, the youngest since John Paul II, presided over a full schedule, restoring the tradition of celebrating a Mass on Christmas Day itself—the first time since 1994. His Christmas Eve service began at 10 p.m., a later hour than recent years, moving closer to the traditional midnight timing.
St. Peter’s Square was adorned with a grand nativity scene from southern Italy and a 25-meter-tall Christmas tree from the north. The Vatican is also hosting an exhibition of over 100 nativity scenes from around the world, including one from Chicago, Leo’s hometown, and Peru, where he served as a missionary.
This Christmas also marks the conclusion of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, a 25-year cycle of pilgrimage and renewal. Pope Leo will officially close the holy door in St. Peter’s on January 6, 2026, drawing the special year to an end.
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