In his inaugural Christmas homily delivered on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful address that centered on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while issuing a universal plea for peace through dialogue. Speaking beneath the ornate balustrade of St. Peter’s Basilica—adorned with festive floral arrangements and red poinsettias—the pontiff drew poignant parallels between the Nativity story and contemporary global suffering.
The Pope’s message specifically highlighted the plight of Gazans who have endured ‘weeks exposed to rain, wind, and cold,’ extending his concern to refugees and displaced populations across continents. He described Christ’s birth in Bethlehem’s humble manger as analogous to ‘a fragile tent among us,’ creating a theological framework for addressing modern homelessness and displacement.
Beyond immediate humanitarian concerns, the pontiff addressed structural violence, referencing ‘defenseless populations tested by countless wars’ and youth ‘forced to take up arms who sense the futility of what they are asked to do.’ He criticized what he termed ‘the pompous speeches of those who send them to death,’ marking one of his strongest condemnations of military rhetoric to date.
The core of his theological-political message emphasized that peace can only emerge through genuine dialogue: ‘There will be peace when our monologues are interrupted and we, enriched by listening, kneel before the humanity of the other.’ This formulation presented spiritual humility as a prerequisite for geopolitical resolution.
The ceremony attracted thousands to the basiliek, with many documenting the solemn procession on smartphones. Despite persistent rainfall, faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square awaiting the traditional Christmas message and ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing from the central loggia. This Christmas also marks the conclusion of the Holy Year celebrations, scheduled to officially close on January 6th—the Feast of the Epiphany commemorating the Magi’s visit to the infant Jesus.