Pope Leo emphasizes compassion for strangers and the less fortunate in Christmas message
Pope Leo has reminded Christians that the Christmas narrative should serve as a prompt to support the needy and outsiders. In his Christmas Eve address, the pope stated that the tale of Jesus being born in a stable due to there being no space at an inn illustrates to believers that turning a blind eye to those in distress equates to rejecting God himself. Leo, who has prioritized the welfare of immigrants and the underprivileged in his papacy, expressed that Jesus’ arrival signifies God’s presence within every individual as he guided the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics into Christmas during a mass at St Peter’s Basilica. “On earth, there is no room for God if there is no room for the human person. To refuse one is to refuse the other,” remarked the pope during the solemn ceremony, which saw approximately 6,000 attendees inside the basilica. Leo, the first pope born in the US, is commemorating his inaugural Christmas after being elected in May by global cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis. The pope, who has denounced Donald Trump’s divisive immigration policies, referenced a phrase from Pope Benedict XVI expressing sorrow that society neglects children, the impoverished, and immigrants. “While a distorted economy leads us to regard people as mere commodities, God becomes like us, displaying the infinite worth of every individual,” stated Leo. “Where there is space for the human person, there is space for God. Even a stable can be more sacred than a temple.”
Outside the basilica, around 5,000 individuals watched the service on screens set up in St Peter’s Square, using umbrellas and wearing ponchos amid persistent rain in Rome. Leo, 70, ventured outside to greet them prior to the mass commencing. “I admire, respect, and thank you for your bravery and your desire to be present this evening, even in such weather.” On Thursday, the pope will preside over a Christmas Day mass and present a biannual “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message and blessing.
Published: 2025-12-24 22:18:00
source: www.theguardian.com
