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Pope Leo XIV
held his first Christmas mass as supreme leader of the Catholic community on Wednesday (24/12) evening Vatican time.He also greeted thousands of devotees gathered in St. Peter’s Square before the mass.
During what was said to be an unusually stylish Mass, the Pope said Christmas was a celebration of “faith, love and hope” and criticized a “distorted economy” that “makes us treat human beings as mere commodities”.
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As reported by AFP, Pope Leo also spoke earlier at St. Peter’s Basilica to convey Christmas greetings and thank the faithful who came to attend mass via an outdoor screen despite the rainy weather.
“St. Peter’s is very big but unfortunately not big enough to accommodate all of you,” he told the crowd of around 5,000.
AFP
said the Pope from the United States adopted a more wise and moderate style compared to his predecessor, Francis, who died on April 21.
The 2025 Christmas Mass at the Vatican was attended by high-level figures of the Catholic Church, diplomats and around 6,000 Catholics.
AFP
reported the Pope delivering a highly religious sermon without direct reference to current events.In celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, this mass also combines traditional music with symbolic gestures such as a statue of the baby Jesus in a cradle.
Pope Leo also decided to hold mass at a later time than his predecessor, who only started around evening.
In another change, Leo also held another mass on Thursday (25/12) which coincided with Christmas.This renews a tradition from the time of the late Pope John Paul II (1978-2005).
Pope Leo XIV will also give the Urbi et Orbo blessing at 11 a.m. from the balcony of the basilica.Usually, at this moment, Popes will talk about conflicts around the world and call for peace.
The Pope earlier on Tuesday (23/12) called for a global ceasefire on Christmas Day.He expressed “deep sadness” that “Russia appears to be rejecting requests” for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
“I renew my request to all people of good will to honor the day of peace — at least the feast of the birth of our Savior,” Leo told reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo.
(afp/end)
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