Pope Leo XIV has marked his first Christmas as head of the Roman Catholic Church with a powerful message of peace, hope and global solidarity, as thousands of worshippers gathered at the Vatican to celebrate the birth of Christ.
The pontiff presided over Christmas Mass at St Peter’s Basilica, thanking the faithful who filled St Peter’s Square for the historic occasion. It marked the first time since 1994 that a Pope has celebrated Mass on Christmas Day, with Pope Leo reintroducing a tradition his immediate predecessors did not observe.
Addressing about 26,000 people from the central loggia overlooking St Peter’s Square, the pontiff delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing, Latin for “To the City and to the World”. which outlines the most pressing global challenges facing humanity.
In his Christmas message, Pope Leo appealed for “peace and consolation” for those affected by wars, political instability, religious persecution and terrorism. He specifically referenced the suffering of civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza and Yemen, as well as refugees and migrants forced to flee their homes in search of safety and opportunity.
“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; with those who are fleeing their homeland to seek a future elsewhere,” the Pope said.
Pope Leo XIV also urged Russia and Ukraine to find the “courage” to engage in direct talks, following weeks of intense international diplomacy aimed at ending their nearly four-year war.
The Christmas celebrations marked a defining moment in Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, reinforcing his emphasis on compassion, global solidarity and dialogue as essential paths toward peace in an increasingly divided world.
