In his Christmas sermon, Pope Leo expressed concern about the difficult living conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, marking a departure from his usual reserved approach. The Pope, hailing from the U.S. and leading his first Christmas Day mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, drew parallels between the humble birth of Jesus in a stable and the hardships endured by Gaza residents living in tents exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Emphasizing a message of compassion and solidarity, Pope Leo, who succeeded the late Pope Francis in May, highlighted the importance of caring for immigrants and refugees, including those journeying across the American continent. Despite his past criticism of Donald Trump’s immigration policies, the Pope did not mention the U.S. president directly during his Christmas addresses.
The pontiff, known for advocating for the Palestinian cause, previously stressed the necessity of a Palestinian state as a resolution to the ongoing conflict with Israel. While a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was established in October, concerns persist over the limited humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, where a significant portion of the population remains without proper shelter.
During his Christmas service at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo also lamented the plight of homeless individuals globally and denounced the devastation wrought by wars worldwide. Calling for an end to conflicts and violence, the Pope delivered a message of peace and reconciliation, urging nations like Ukraine, Sudan, Mali, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia to engage in sincere dialogues facilitated by international support.
In particular, Pope Leo expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine facing threats from Russian forces and called for a cessation of hostilities through constructive dialogue. Addressing the ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, the Pope appealed for a restoration of their historical friendship to pave the way for peace and reconciliation.