Overview
- León XIV celebrated Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, marking his first Christmas since his May 8 election, before roughly 6,000 worshippers.
- In his homily he warned that a “distorted economy” leads people to be treated as merchandise and affirmed the infinite dignity of every person.
- He presented Christmas as a feast of faith, charity, and hope, urging believers to carry a message of peace.
- He quoted Benedict XVI to argue that without space for the human person there is no space for God, underscoring concern for children, the poor, and foreigners.
- Before the liturgy he greeted about 5,000 people waiting in St. Peter’s Square in the rain, and he is set to give the Urbi et Orbi blessing on December 25.