By Euronews
Published on
Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful to reject indifference towards those suffering in the world’s wars and migrants seeking better lives during his first Christmas Day message on Thursday.
The first US-born pope addressed thousands of people from the loggia overlooking St Peter’s Square for the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing, which serves as an annual summary of global crises.
Rain had fallen during the papal Mass inside St Peter’s Basilica earlier in the day, but subsided by the time Pope Leo XIV toured the square in the popemobile before delivering his address from the loggia.
Pope Leo XIV revived the tradition of offering Christmas greetings in multiple languages, which his predecessor Pope Francis had abandoned. He received warm cheers when greeting crowds in his native English and Spanish — the language of Peru where he served as a missionary and archbishop.
Pope asks for peace
The pope emphasised that everyone could contribute to peace through humility and responsibility. “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 said.
Pope Leo XIV called for justice, peace and stability in Lebanon, Gaza, Israel and Syria, and prayers for Ukraine. He urged peace and consolation for victims of wars, injustice, political instability, religious persecution and terrorism, citing Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and Congo.
The pope called for dialogue to address challenges in Latin America, reconciliation in Myanmar, restoration of friendship between Thailand and Cambodia, and assistance for those hit by natural disasters in South Asia and Oceania.
“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, like the many refugees and migrants who cross the Mediterranean or traverse the American continent,” the pope said.
He also remembered those who have lost their jobs or are seeking work, especially young people, underpaid workers and prisoners.
Dialogue to end conflicts
Earlier, Pope Leo XIV led Christmas Day Mass from the central altar beneath the balustrade of St Peter’s Basilica, which was adorned with floral garlands and red poinsettias. White flowers were set at the feet of a statue of Mary.
In his homily, the pontiff said peace can only emerge through 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 said.
Thousands packed the basilica for the Catholic Church leader’s first Christmas Day Mass, holding their smartphones aloft to capture images of the opening procession.
This Christmas season marks the winding down of the Holy Jubilee Year celebrations, which will close on 6 January, the Catholic Epiphany holiday marking the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
Additional sources • AP
