Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on 24/12, addressing approximately 6,000 faithful, senior Church officials, and diplomats. During the ceremony, the Pope declared Christmas a celebration of "faith, charity, and hope", while also criticizing a "distorted economy that treats fellow human beings as commodities".

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV focused entirely on religious themes, refraining from direct comments on current affairs. The Mass, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, is a significant event in the Catholic Church's liturgical calendar. It blended traditional music with symbolic rituals, including the placement of a statue of the Infant Jesus in a manger.

Before the Mass, the Pope spoke to the crowds gathered outside St. Peter's Basilica, extending Christmas greetings and expressing gratitude to those who endured rain and wind to watch the event on outdoor screens. "St. Peter's Basilica is very large, but unfortunately, it is still not big enough to welcome all our fellow faithful", he remarked.

Pope Leo XIV has adopted a more discreet and moderate style compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis. He also chose to celebrate the Christmas Eve Mass later than previous Popes. A further change involves the Pope celebrating another Mass on Christmas Day, 25/12, a tradition he revived from the time of Pope John Paul II. Following this, he will deliver the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing from the Basilica's balcony, an occasion when Popes typically address global conflicts and call for peace.

Pope Leo XIV carries a statue of the Infant Jesus during Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on 24/12. Photo: AFP

On 23/12, Pope Leo XIV called for a global ceasefire for Christmas, expressing "great sadness" that Russia appeared to have rejected a ceasefire proposal in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo, he stated, "I reiterate my appeal to all people of good will: respect a day of peace, at least on the feast of the birth of the Savior".

Christmas 2025 also marks the conclusion of the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year, an event that has attracted millions of pilgrims to Rome.

Huyen Le (According to AFP)