Pope Leo XIV has urged Christians to proclaim the joy of Christmas, describing the Nativity as a celebration grounded in faith, charity, and hope. Speaking during the Christmas Mass during the Night at Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Pope reflected on the birth of Jesus as a moment that brings light into darkness and affirms the dignity of every human life.
The Mass, one of the most important events in the Catholic liturgical year, drew thousands of worshippers to the Vatican. Millions more followed the celebration around the world. In his homily, Pope Leo placed the Christmas story within a wider human and spiritual context, focusing on humility, care for others, and renewed hope at a time of global uncertainty.
Light in the darkness
Turning to the Gospel of Luke, Pope Leo recalled the star that appeared over Bethlehem. He described it as a new light breaking into the night and astonishing the world. He cited the biblical passage that speaks of people walking in darkness who have seen a great light, presenting the Nativity as a turning point in human history.
The Pope said the birth of Jesus represents God entering time and space to dwell among humanity. This presence, he added, brings light even into the deepest darkness. It offers salvation and opens the way to what he described as a new and eternal life.
He stressed that the message of Christmas is not distant or abstract. Instead, it is rooted in everyday human experience. The light symbolized by the star, the Pope said, must be shared and lived. In this way, it guides people toward compassion and responsibility for one another.
God among humanity
In his homily, Pope Leo said the birth of Jesus reveals a God who gives himself fully to humanity. He encouraged believers to look for God not in power or grandeur, but in humility. That humility, he said, is clearly shown in the child laid in a manger.
He pointed to the contrast at the heart of the Nativity. Divine power appears through the vulnerability of a newborn, while eternal wisdom is heard in an infant’s cry. This contrast, the Pope explained, lies at the center of the Christian understanding of God.
By becoming human, he said, God fully shares in human history and experience. As a result, the need of a child for care and protection becomes a sign of divine closeness. This closeness, he added, extends to every person, especially the most fragile.
Recognizing dignity in every life
Pope Leo said the birth of Jesus calls believers to recognize the dignity of every human life. The light of the Nativity, he noted, helps people overcome indifference and challenges them to see others more clearly.
Referring to reflections associated with Pope Benedict XVI, he repeated the idea that making room for the human person also makes room for God. This approach, he said, encourages respect, solidarity, and protection of life at all stages.
The Pope added that God’s decision to reveal himself as a child reflects a plan of love that begins with creation itself. Every human being, he said, bears God’s image and deserves care, attention, and reverence.
A message of hope amid suffering
Looking beyond the basilica, Pope Leo described Christmas as a response to the hopes and struggles of humanity. In the face of poverty, violence, and oppression, he said, the birth of Jesus offers a gentle yet powerful form of hope.
Rather than meeting force with force, the Christmas message introduces a light that strengthens the weak and encourages renewal. This light, the Pope said, is meant for all children and all peoples, without distinction.
He also warned against forms of power that seek domination. In contrast, he pointed to the humility of God becoming human. True change in history, he said, begins with recognizing the bond of love that unites the Creator with creation.
Continuity with recent papal teaching
Pope Leo recalled words spoken by Pope Francis during the previous Christmas season, when the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica was opened to mark the beginning of the Jubilee Year. He echoed the call to bring hope to places where it has been lost.
Joy flourishes, the Pope said, when Christ stands at the center of life. He added that the Christian message of hope does not disappoint, even during times marked by fear, conflict, or uncertainty.
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