Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace in Christmas Homily Amid Gaza’s Suffering

VATICAN CITY — In his inaugural Christmas Day homily on December 25, 2023, Pope Leo XIV addressed the plight of the people in Gaza, describing them as “exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold.” The pontiff emphasized that the world’s numerous conflicts can only be resolved through open dialogue.

Leading the Christmas Day Mass from the central altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo was surrounded by elaborate decorations, including floral garlands and clusters of red poinsettias. At the foot of a statue of Mary, the mother of Jesus, white flowers were placed in homage to the significance of the day, which celebrates the birth of Christ.

Reflecting on the humble circumstances of Jesus’s birth in a manger, Pope Leo XIV drew parallels to the vulnerable conditions faced by many today. “How then can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold; and of those so many other refugees and displaced persons on every continent, or of the makeshift shelters of thousands of homeless people in our own cities?” he remarked.

The pope also highlighted the struggles of “defenseless populations, tried by so many wars,” and expressed concern for young individuals forced into armed conflict. He characterized their experiences as profoundly tragic, noting that they often confront the “senselessness of what is asked of them,” juxtaposed against the “pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths.”

Pope Leo XIV underscored the necessity of dialogue for achieving peace. “There will be peace when our monologues are interrupted and, enriched by listening, we fall to our knees before the humanity of the other,” he stated. His message resonated with thousands who gathered at the Basilica, many capturing the moment on their smartphones as they attended the Mass.

Following the service, the pope is set to deliver the traditional Christmas message from a loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where the faithful braved steady rain. This message, known as the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing—Latin for “to the City and the World”—summarizes the various challenges facing the globe this year.

This Christmas marks the conclusion of the Holy Year celebrations, which will formally end on January 6, 2024, during the Catholic Epiphany holiday, celebrating the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem.

The message from Pope Leo XIV serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing humanitarian issues that persist worldwide, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza. His call for dialogue and understanding seeks to inspire action toward lasting peace and solidarity.