Overview
- Pope Leo XIV presided over Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, urging the faithful to see Christmas as a feast of faith, charity and hope while warning against a distorted economy that treats people as merchandise.
- He renewed his plea for a one-day Christmas truce and expressed sadness that Russia apparently rejected a ceasefire request for Ukraine.
- He has reinstated a papal Christmas Day Mass for Dec. 25 and will deliver the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing from St. Peter’s central balcony.
- Roughly 6,000 people attended inside the basilica and about 5,000 watched in St. Peter’s Square in heavy rain, where the pope greeted and thanked them before the service.
- The Vatican streamed the liturgy worldwide, with broadcasters carrying coverage, as the Jubilee Holy Year moves toward its Jan. 6 close with the Holy Door ceremony.