Under a persistent rain in Rome, with the bells of St. Peter's Basilica marking the rhythm of the day, Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas as Pontiff with a series of events at St. Peter's . The Midnight Mass, known as the Mass of the Rooster, and the Christmas Day liturgy were centered on the altar of the Vatican basilica, reviving a setting that had not been used by a Pope for this occasion for decades.
In an international context marked by wars, mass displacement, and political tensions, the new Pope used his first Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Square to deliver a powerful message about peace, human dignity, and the suffering of the most vulnerable . Both in his homilies and in his subsequent Urbi et Orbi address , Leo XIV emphasized that Christmas only has meaning if it translates into concrete acts of reconciliation and justice.
The return from the Christmas Day Mass at St. Peter's Basilica
Christmas Day had a strong historical significance. Leo XIV presided over Christmas Day Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at 10:00 a.m. , something that had not happened since the mid-1990s. The last time a Pope publicly celebrated this liturgy in St. Peter's was in 1994, during the pontificate of John Paul II.
The tradition was interrupted when John Paul II's health began to decline, and subsequently, during the pontificates of Benedict XVI and Francis , the Christmas program was reduced to the Christmas Eve Mass and the Urbi et Orbi blessing message on December 25. Leo XIV's decision to reinstate the Mass in the basilica thus represents a significant change in the Vatican's Christmas liturgical calendar.
Historian Roberto Regoli, an expert on the history of the papacy at the Gregorian University in Rome, explains that this gesture has a strong pastoral dimension. He emphasizes that the new Pope wants to align himself with the practice of parish priests and clergy around the world , who customarily celebrate a Christmas Eve Mass and another on December 25th. By presiding over both, Leo XIV symbolically places himself within the same dynamic as parish priests, reinforcing an image of closeness and ordinary service.
Beyond the organization of the calendar, Professor Regoli also points to a symbolic dimension: the Pope's physical presence at the celebrations is part of how the Church makes itself visible . His gestures, silences, and words become a language that many faithful, including those in Europe and Spain, follow through television , the internet, and social media.
A late Midnight Mass, with its gaze fixed on the whole world
Christmas Eve began with a significant change in schedule. Leo XIV has set Midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for 10:00 PM , later than in recent years under Francis, when it was celebrated around 7:00 PM, but still somewhat earlier than the traditional midnight Mass that marked many Christmases in the 20th century.
With this move, the Pope is partly following the path taken by Benedict XVI , who in 2009 had begun to move the celebration forward for health and logistical reasons. In the case of Leo XIV, however, age is not a limiting factor: he is the youngest Pope in recent decades . Therefore, according to experts, the choice of an evening time is more a reflection of the desire to emphasize the symbolic nature of Christmas Eve than of any physical limitations.
Minutes before Mass, the Pope went out into St. Peter's Square to greet the approximately 5.000 faithful who, despite the rain, were following the celebration on giant screens, having been unable to enter the basilica. In an impromptu message in English and Italian, and with a warm " Welcome! " in Spanish, he thanked them for their patience, courage, and desire to be present despite the bad weather , inviting them to participate spiritually through the media.
Inside St. Peter's Basilica, Midnight Mass was celebrated with its usual solemnity: traditional hymns, the proclamation of the Kalenda —the solemn announcement of Christmas—and the reading of biblical passages recounting the birth of Jesus. In a particularly symbolic moment, Leo XIV unveiled an image of the Infant Jesus accompanied by children from various countries —including Poland, Ukraine , India, Mozambique, Paraguay, and South Korea—a gesture intended to underscore the universality of the Church.
The homily that evening focused on the paradox of a God who makes himself fragile. The Pope insisted that “God became man not to be looked at from afar, but to be encountered in the closeness of the human heart .” This closeness, he explained, is made concrete in those who suffer violence, poverty, or exploitation, and it is there that the believer is called to recognize the face of Christ. The homily that evening
Human dignity versus an economy that turns people into commodities
One of the most discussed passages of the Christmas homily was the Pope's critique of the dominant economic model. Leo XIV denounced the existence of a "distorted economy" that leads to treating people as if they were merchandise , reducing their value to productivity or immediate profit.
In contrast to this logic, the Pope recalled that the birth of Jesus reveals the infinite dignity of every human being , regardless of their origin, employment status, or social condition. He emphasized that while humanity seeks to impose itself and “become gods” in order to dominate, the Christian response presents a God who chooses to become human in order to liberate from all forms of slavery.
This approach connects with debates very much present in Europe and Spain , such as youth job insecurity, low wages, and the situation of migrant workers. Without mentioning them directly, Leo XIV's words also address those living in contexts of stark economic inequality within the continent itself, and invite a review of business practices and public policies. A Christmas message is not sentimentality.
At another point in the celebration, the Pope focused on the image of the “helpless child” in the Nativity scene, which he described as “a word of hope and strength to rise up against violence and oppression .” Citing classical spiritual authors, such as Saint Augustine, and also recalling the teachings of his predecessor Francis, he insisted that the Christmas message is not sentimentality, but a concrete call to transform unjust structures.
The suffering of Gaza, Ukraine and the forgotten wars
Leo XIV's first Christmas Mass at St. Peter's did not remain confined to internal Church matters. Both in his morning homily and in his subsequent Urbi et Orbi message , the Pope devoted considerable time to the international situation, with explicit references to the most devastating conflicts of the day.
Regarding the Middle East, the Pope stated that one cannot forget the people of Gaza , “with so many families who have lost everything and have nothing left.” He recalled the makeshift tents in which thousands of people have been surviving for weeks, exposed to rain, wind, and cold, and called for diplomatic efforts to prioritize the protection of civilians.
During his Christmas message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Leo XIV implored "justice, peace, and stability for Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, and Syria ." He affirmed that he had heard "the fears" of these populations and called on political leaders to abandon the logic of perpetual confrontation. The appeal extended to the entire Middle East, with a special greeting to the Christians of the region, communities that are also very much present in the religious landscape of Mediterranean Europe.
The Pope also spoke very clearly about the war in Ukraine . He asked for prayers “in a special way” for the Ukrainian people so that “the roar of weapons” may cease and that the parties involved, with the help of the international community, may find “the courage to engage in sincere, direct, and respectful dialogue.” Days earlier, in Castel Gandolfo, he had already expressed his sadness at Russia’s rejection of a Christmas truce and had proposed “24 hours of peace” throughout the world.
The list of conflicts mentioned was expanded to include the so-called “forgotten wars .” Leo XIV recalled the violence in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti, as well as tense situations in Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. His message was that there are no second-class regions on the map of human suffering , even though they barely make headlines in the West.
Refugees, migrants and the special echo in Europe and Spain
True to the social concern he had already demonstrated before his election, Leo XIV placed particular emphasis on those forced to flee their homeland . He remembered the refugees crossing the Mediterranean in precarious boats and those traversing the American continent in search of a different future, stressing that no one leaves their home on a whim.
This emphasis resonates particularly strongly in Southern Europe, with countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece at the forefront of migration routes. The Pope urged European societies to combine legitimate border management with dignified and human rights-respecting reception policies , avoiding rhetoric that dehumanizes those arriving.
In his message, he also addressed the plight of young people who cannot find employment, low-paid workers, and those exploited in the informal economy . Although his words originate from the Vatican, the diagnosis reflects realities present in both Latin America and various European regions, marked by precarious and unstable employment.
Leo XIV broadened his perspective to include Latin America, asking the Christ Child to inspire those in positions of political responsibility to foster dialogue for the common good and avoid exclusions based on ideologies or partisan interests. This message can also be interpreted in a European context, where political polarization has intensified in recent years.
“The Lord’s Christmas is the Christmas of Peace”
As the spiritual motto for this holiday season, the Pope has chosen a phrase from Saint Leo the Great , the first pontiff to bear his name: “The Lord’s Nativity is the Nativity of Peace .” This quote, featured on the official Christmas greeting card, summarizes the central theme of his remarks: peace not as the mere absence of war, but as an arduous process that requires justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
On several occasions, Leo XIV spoke of the need for a “disarmed and disarming” peace . With this expression, he meant that true peace does not come solely from diplomatic agreements or military balances, but from an inner transformation of hearts and of the structures that sustain violence, including the global arms race.
During his message before the Urbi et Orbi , the Pope recited a poem by the Israeli writer Yehuda Amichai , entitled “Wild Peace.” It describes a peace that is not limited to a ceasefire or the idyllic image of the wolf and the lamb, but rather to the profound rest of the heart when the turmoil ceases . The choice of this text, from an Israeli author, was interpreted as a gesture of solidarity with the victims on both sides of the conflict in the region.
Before imparting the blessing, Leo XIV offered Christmas greetings in ten languages —Italian, French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, and Latin—with a simple message: may the peace of Christ reign in hearts and families. This brief message was intended to reach both practicing Catholics and those who, from a more cultural perspective, follow the Vatican's Christmas celebrations throughout Europe.
The Urbi et Orbi blessing and the Pope's public role
At noon on Christmas Day, as tradition dictates, the Pope appeared on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to impart the Urbi et Orbi blessing , addressed "to the city and the world." This address has become one of the most significant geopolitical speeches of the year for any Pope, combining spiritual reflection with an analysis of international affairs.
From that balcony, Leo XIV urged everyone to “do their part to reject hatred, violence, and confrontation ,” promoting dialogue and reconciliation in their immediate surroundings. He insisted that peace is not only the task of governments and diplomats, but also of families, religious communities, civil associations, and ordinary citizens, including those in European countries where war is perceived as something distant.
Following the day's Mass, at noon, he imparted the Urbi et Orbi blessing before a square filled with pilgrims who braved the inclement weather. The liturgy and message were broadcast worldwide through official Vatican channels, including Spanish-language broadcasts, allowing people in homes, parishes, and Christian communities throughout Spain and the rest of Europe to follow Leo XIV's first Christmas celebration live.
The image of a relatively young Pope, with a more understated style than his predecessor Francis but keenly attentive to major global issues, was solidified during these Christmas holidays. His commitment to combining simple gestures, such as greeting those outside the basilica in the rain, with interventions of international significance reinforces the idea of a pontificate that aims to unite pastoral closeness with global responsibility.
A Christmas calendar full of liturgical events
The celebrations of Leo XIV's first Christmas are not limited to the night of the 24th and the day of the 25th. The Vatican has announced a wide-ranging program of liturgical events that will continue until the first days of January and that, to a large extent, revive traditional patterns.
On December 25, in addition to the Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and the Urbi et Orbi address , the Pope's schedule includes moments of prayer and private meetings. On December 26, the feast of St. Stephen , the first martyr of the Church, the Pontiff will recite the Angelus in St. Peter's Square , as he will again the following Sunday.
On the morning of December 31 , he will preside over the general audience, and in the afternoon at 17:00 p.m. he will lead First Vespers in the basilica for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God , followed by the Te Deum of thanksgiving for the past year. This is a deeply rooted tradition in many European countries, where the end of the civil year is often accompanied by religious celebrations of gratitude.
On January 1st—the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and World Day of Peace— Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass at 10:00 a.m. with a specific message on peace, in which he will denounce the increase in global military spending and the logic of the arms race. A few days later, on January 6th, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, he will preside over Mass and the closing of the Ordinary Jubilee with the closing of the Holy Door of the basilica.
The Christmas festivities at the Vatican will conclude on January 11 with the Mass of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel , during which the Pope will baptize several children of Vatican employees. Meanwhile, a short break at Castel Gandolfo and meetings with cardinals from around the world are planned, demonstrating how the spiritual agenda is combined with the internal affairs of the Church.
Clergy formation and future outlook for the Church
Alongside the celebrations, Leo XIV chose to take advantage of the Christmas season to publish an apostolic letter addressed specifically to priests . Entitled “A Fidelity that Generates the Future,” the text commemorates the anniversary of two documents from the Second Vatican Council on priestly formation and ministry.
The Pope encourages priests worldwide to rediscover the identity of their vocation in a context marked by secularization in Europe, a shortage of vocations in some dioceses, and, at the same time, the growth of Christian communities in other regions. He argues that fidelity to Christ is not a routine repetition of the past, but a dynamic force that drives them to creatively address current challenges.
The letter underscores the importance of ongoing formation in the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions , so that the clergy can better accompany their communities. It also points out that priests' lifestyles should reflect sobriety, approachability, and availability—values closely observed by European public opinion when assessing the Church's credibility.
Leo XIV invites priests to safeguard “the beauty of the ordained ministry” without taking refuge in nostalgia or fear, fostering a more synodal, fraternal, and outward-looking Church . These emphases connect with processes already underway in numerous countries, including Spain, where diocesan consultations and assemblies are being held to promote broader participation of lay men and women in ecclesial life.
Leo XIV's first Christmas Mass in St. Peter's has become a kind of broad introduction to his pontificate : a Pope who revives forgotten traditions, shows himself to be approachable in everyday life and, at the same time, places at the center human dignity, the cry of peoples at war and the search for a peace that goes beyond speeches and translates into real changes in Europe and the rest of the world.
