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ope Leo XIV on Wednesday presided over his first Christmas Eve Mass as head of the Roman Catholic Church, leading the traditional service at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

The Mass was attended by cardinals, bishops, priests, diplomatic representatives accredited to the Holy See, and invited guests. Before the service, Pope Leo greeted worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square, offering Christmas wishes to the faithful.

Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected on May 8 as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV.

In his homily, the pope criticized materialism, warning that a distorted economic system treats human beings as commodities.

Observers noted that, unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo began the Christmas Eve Mass later than in recent years, closer to midnight, and conducted a longer service. Media reports interpreted the timing as a symbolic return to older Vatican traditions.

Pope condemns Gaza conditions

On Thursday, during his first Christmas Day sermon, Pope Leo drew attention to the humanitarian conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, delivering an unusually direct appeal during the solemn celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth.

Reflecting on the nativity story while presiding over Christmas Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope said Jesus’ birth in a stable showed how God chose to dwell among humanity in fragility.

“How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?” he asked, referring to widespread displacement caused by Israel.

Leo, the first pope from the United States, is known for a more reserved and diplomatic preaching style but has repeatedly voiced concern in recent months over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Call for compassion amid global conflicts

The pope also lamented the suffering of homeless populations worldwide and the devastation caused by ongoing wars, saying modern conflicts continue to leave behind destruction and long-lasting trauma.

“Fragile is the flesh of defenseless populations, tried by so many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds,” he said.

Leo further highlighted the plight of young people forced into armed conflict, criticizing what he described as hollow rhetoric that sends them to fight and die.

Later on Thursday, Pope Leo is expected to deliver his traditional Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”) message, which typically addresses major global crises and calls for peace.

(Source: Anadolu and Reuters)