Pope Leo XIV marked his first Christmas as head of the Catholic Church by denouncing the suffering of civilians in Gaza and calling for an end to violence in Ukraine, urging the world to choose peace, dialogue and compassion over war.
Delivering the traditional Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and to the World”) blessing from the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square, the first US-born pope reflected on a world scarred by conflict, from the Middle East to Eastern Europe, and appealed for solidarity with refugees and displaced communities.
Gaza suffering highlighted in Christmas message
Speaking to thousands gathered in cold and rainy conditions, Pope Leo spoke movingly about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip, where families are sheltering in tents exposed to “rain, wind and cold” after months of war.
Referring to the Christmas story, he said Jesus shared in human fragility, identifying with “those who have nothing left and have lost everything”. He noted that hundreds of thousands of homes in Gaza have been destroyed, forcing people to choose between unsafe buildings and makeshift shelters.
Call for silence of guns in Ukraine
The pontiff also prayed for the “tormented people of Ukraine”, urging all parties to find the courage to engage in sincere and respectful dialogue. A day earlier, he had expressed sadness that a Christmas truce had not been agreed to in the ongoing war.
Since his election on May 8, Pope Leo has positioned the Vatican as a potential mediator for peace, continuing the Church’s long-standing role as a moral voice for reconciliation.
Compassion for migrants and refugees
In his Christmas address, the pope appealed for compassion towards migrants and refugees fleeing war and poverty, including those crossing the Mediterranean or travelling across the Americas in search of safety and dignity.
He offered Christmas greetings in several languages, underscoring the universal nature of the message of peace.
Faith, humility and peace
Earlier, during Christmas Mass at St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo reflected on the humility of Christ’s birth, saying true power lies not in domination but in service and love.
As the Catholic Church prepares to close its jubilee year in early January, the pope reiterated his central Christmas message: peace is possible if humanity chooses dialogue over hatred.