Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass since his election in May, delivering a message centered on faith, charity and hope, while warning against what he described as a “distorted economy” that reduces human beings to mere commodities.
The Mass, held at St Peter’s Basilica, was attended by senior Church officials, diplomats and around 6,000 worshippers.
Thousands more followed the service from outside the basilica via large screens. Addressing the crowd, the Pope noted that despite the vast size of St Peter’s, it was still unable to accommodate everyone who wished to attend.
In his Christmas message, Pope Leo XIV renewed his call for “24 hours of peace across the entire world.” He later expressed deep sadness over Russia’s refusal to accept the proposal and suspend hostilities in its ongoing war with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Christmas celebrations returned to Bethlehem after two years marked by war and destruction. A towering Christmas tree was erected in Manger Square, drawing local residents and visitors to the city revered as the birthplace of Jesus.
The holiday brought a sense of cautious hope to a community heavily dependent on tourism, which has been severely affected by prolonged conflict.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, formally opened the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, telling crowds that despite widespread devastation, he sensed a strong determination to live, rebuild and restore hope.
He called on Christians and Muslims alike to become “the light of Bethlehem,” stressing the need for light after years of darkness.
However, the economic toll of the conflict remains stark. Local authorities say around 80 per cent of Bethlehem’s residents rely on tourism-related livelihoods, with celebrations this year largely attended by locals and only a limited number of foreign visitors.
