VATICAN CITY, 25 December (H.S.): Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Christmas Eve Mass on Wednesday in St. Peter's Basilica, drawing around 6,000 faithful inside and 5,000 more in a rain-soaked St. Peter's Square, where he delivered an informal greeting lamenting the venue's inability to accommodate all attendees despite outdoor screens.

Festive Homily on Faith and Dignity

In his homily, the 70-year-old American pontiff—elected in May following Pope Francis's death on April 21—described Christmas as a feast embodying faith, charity, and hope, while decrying a distorted economy that reduces human beings to mere merchandise, urging recognition of God's presence in every person and echoing Pope Benedict XVI's lament over neglect of the poor, children, and foreigners.

The liturgy featured traditional music, symbolic placement of the baby Jesus statue in a manger, and commenced at 10 p.m. local time—a later hour than under his predecessor—marking a shift toward a more discreet style compared to Francis's charismatic approach.

Leo avoided direct references to current events, focusing instead on spiritual renewal as the Catholic Church's Jubilee Holy Year concluded, having drawn millions of pilgrims to Rome.

Renewed Christmas Day Tradition

On Thursday, December 25, Leo XIV will revive a longstanding custom absent since St. John Paul II's era by celebrating a 10 a.m. Mass in the basilica, followed at noon by the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the central balcony, where popes traditionally address global conflicts and appeal for peace.

This schedule contrasts with recent pontiffs like Francis and Benedict XVI, who omitted the daytime Christmas Mass due to age-related constraints.

High-ranking church officials, diplomats, and devotees filled the ceremony, blending solemn ritual with Leo's emphasis on human dignity amid ongoing worldwide tensions.

Preceding Call for Global Truce

On Tuesday, December 23, from his Castel Gandolfo residence near Rome, Leo expressed great sadness over Russia's apparent rejection of a Christmas truce request in Ukraine, renewing appeals to all people of good will for at least 24 hours of peace on the Savior's birth feast amid conflicts worldwide.

Russia's February 2022 invasion has repeatedly spurned ceasefire overtures, citing military disadvantages, as Leo hoped global actors would heed his plea for momentary respite.

The pontiff's messages underscore his early papacy priorities of mercy, immigrant care, and poverty alleviation, including past criticisms of U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar