Overview
- From the loggia of St. Peter’s, Leo XIV appealed to still the “roar of weapons” and pressed for an honest, direct and respectful dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.
- His message spotlighted humanitarian suffering, invoking the tents in Gaza exposed to rain, wind and cold and naming “forgotten” conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and the DR Congo.
- The Vatican reported about 26,000 faithful on St. Peter’s Square despite rain, as the Pope delivered Christmas greetings in ten languages, reviving a tradition set aside under Francis.
- At his first Midnight Mass he emphasized human dignity, criticized a “perverted economy” that treats people as commodities and personally greeted roughly 5,000 worshippers outside in heavy rain.
- Ahead of the liturgies he urged a 24‑hour, worldwide ceasefire on Christmas and said he was saddened that Russia declined the proposal.