Thursday 25 / December / 2025
Pope Leo XIVgave his first Christmas Mass after being elected to the role in May.
The pontiff spoke about the holiday, calling it a day of "faith, charity and hope," while also criticizing a "distorted economy" that, according to the pope, brings people to "treat human beings as mere merchandise."
High-ranking Church figures, diplomats and around 6,000 faithful attended the mass.
Outside the St Peters Basilica, thousands of people followed the mass on large screens.
"St Peter's is very large but unfortunately it is not large enough to receive all of you," he told the crowd of around 5,000 people.
Ahead of Christmas, Pope Leo XIV called for "24 hours of peace in the whole world," later expressing "great sadness" due to Russia's unwillingness to accept the offer and halt the hostilities in its war in Ukraine.
After two years of war and devastation, Christmas returns to Bethlehem, the city revered as Jesus's birthplace.
A giant tree now stands in Manger Square, where locals and tourists gather in celebration. For a city that relies on tourism, the holiday marks a fragile hope for recovery.
Amid ongoing tensions, residents and church leaders call for peace and light after years of darkness.
