Pope Leo XIV delivered his inaugural Christmas Day message on December 25, 2023, urging compassion for those suffering in conflict zones and among impoverished communities globally. Speaking to approximately 26,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff highlighted the plight of individuals in places like Gaza and Yemen, as well as the challenges faced by migrants traversing the Mediterranean and the Americas in search of a better life.
The traditional papal “Urbi et Orbi” address, which translates to “To the City and to the World,” serves as an annual overview of pressing global issues. Despite a rainy start to the day, the weather cleared just in time for the pope’s appearance in the popemobile, allowing him to connect with the crowd. Leo XIV revived the practice of delivering Christmas greetings in various languages, a tradition set aside by his predecessor, Pope Francis. His greetings in English and Spanish received enthusiastic applause, particularly from the crowd that appreciated his connection to Peru, where he served as a missionary and archbishop.
In his address, the pope emphasized that individual actions rooted in humility and responsibility can foster peace. “If we truly enter into 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 such as Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Israel, and Syria, while also offering prayers for the “tormented people of Ukraine” and those affected by conflict and injustice in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Addressing Global Crises
Pope Leo XIV urged dialogue to tackle the numerous challenges facing Latin America and reconciliation in Myanmar. He also highlighted the need to restore the “ancient friendship” between Thailand and Cambodia and to provide aid to those impacted by natural disasters in South Asia and Oceania. His remarks included a poignant reflection on Jesus, who, through his incarnation, identifies with the suffering of humanity: “He 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.”
During the Christmas Day Mass, the pope led the congregation from the central altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, which was beautifully decorated with floral garlands and red poinsettias. In his homily, he reiterated that peace can only emerge through open 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 remarked.
The pope also acknowledged the hardships faced by young people seeking employment and those enduring underemployment and incarceration. His compassionate outreach resonated deeply with the thousands present, many of whom captured the moment with their smartphones during the Mass.
As the Christmas season unfolds, it marks the conclusion of the Holy Year celebrations, which will end on January 6, 2024, during the Catholic Epiphany holiday that commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. Pope Leo XIV’s first Christmas message reflects a commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing humanitarian concerns, inviting all to act with love and solidarity.
