Pope Leo XIV delivered his Christmas Night Mass homily, stating that Christ's birth brings light to darkness and that welcoming the human person means welcoming God. The Pope quoted Pope Benedict XVI, emphasizing that if there is no room for the human person on earth, there is no room for God. The Christmas Mass, held in St. Peter's Basilica, was attended by an estimated 6,000 people inside, with another 5,000 watching in St. Peter's Square. Before the Mass, Pope Leo made a surprise appearance outside to greet and bless the crowd gathered in the rainy square who could not fit inside the basilica.
2 months ago
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Christmas Eve Mass on December 24, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica, drawing over 11,000 attendees despite cold rain.1 2 5
Around 6,000 filled the basilica, with 5,000 more in the square following on screens.2 3 5
Before Mass, Leo XIV surprised those outside, noting the basilica's limits.1 2 3 5
He praised their courage, wished peace through Christ's birth, and blessed them.1 2 5
The Mass opened with the Christmas proclamation (Kalenda), followed by Leo unveiling and kissing a baby Jesus statue.1 2 3
Children from various cultures placed flowers around it; later, the pope carried the figurine to the Nativity scene.1 5
"Noel" was sung during procession, with bells ringing to announce Christ's birth.1
Leo urged making room for the poor, children, and strangers, equating rejection of them with rejecting God.1 2 3 5
He quoted Benedict XVI: no room for God without room for humans.1 2 3 5
Humanity once sought truth in stars but must now look to the lowly newborn Savior.1 2 5
Leo contrasted God's humility with distorted economies treating people as merchandise.1 2 5
While humans seek godlike domination, God becomes man to free from slavery.1 2 5
He invoked Augustine: divine humility lifts human pride.2 5
Christmas offers not solutions but a divine love story and word of hope.1 2 5
Leo tied it to the Jubilee Year of Hope, started by Francis last Christmas Eve, now nearing end.1 5
Believers must proclaim faith, charity, hope, becoming messengers of peace.1 5
Christ’s birth invites the Church to welcome all humanity
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Imagine a king, settled in his grand cedar palace, looking out at the humble tent housing the Ark of the Covenant. David wants to build God a house, but God flips the script: "I will make you a house," He promises—an eternal dynasty from David's line. Tonight, on this holy Christmas Vigil, we stand at the fulfillment of that promise. The newborn King, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, is the Son of David, the Savior who builds not walls of exclusion, but a house for all humanity. Zechariah's prophecy bursts forth like dawn: God has raised "a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David," to save us from enemies, show mercy to our ancestors, and guide our feet "into the way of peace." Christ's birth shatters every barrier, inviting the Church—you and me—to fling wide the doors and welcome every soul into God's family.
In the first reading, God speaks to David through Nathan: no temple of stone needed yet, for God has been with him in pastures and battles, promising rest from enemies and an everlasting throne. This isn't just about a building; it's the Davidic covenant, echoed in the Psalm: "I have made a covenant with my chosen one... I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations." The heavens praise this fidelity, declaring the chosen one "the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth." Fast-forward to Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit: the oath to Abraham is remembered, rescuing us to serve God "without fear, in holiness and righteousness." John, the child in Elizabeth's womb, prepares the way for mercy's dawn, lighting "those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."
These threads weave one tapestry: God's unbreakable promise to David finds its yes in Jesus, born this night. Not a distant ruler, but a Savior in David's house, extending salvation beyond Israel—to all humanity. The covenant swells to embrace pagans, sinners, foreigners. As Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed, Jesus "did not show himself only for a certain few, but for everyone... Supernatural grace... is meant for every creature." Christ's poverty in the manger declares: God's house has room for the poor in spirit, the mourning, the meek—the whole human family.
Picture the shepherds—rough, overlooked night-watchers—rushing to the manger, first to adore. They represent us: ordinary folk drawn into divine mystery. Or consider today's saints: Saint Paula Elisabeth Cerioli, widowed and childless, poured her wealth into orphans and rural poor, founding congregations to mother the motherless.[Saints] Like the manger, her life became a refuge. Saint Charbel Makhlouf, born humbly in Lebanon, lived as hermit and miracle-worker, drawing all to Christ's light amid darkness.
Pope Leo XIV echoes this in our time. To Catholic Charities, he calls them "agents of hope" for migrants and vulnerable, making God's providence concrete through food, shelter, care—bridge builders between nations. "Catholic migrants... have become missionaries of hope," re-energizing parishes with vibrant faith. In Astana, he urges religious leaders: stand for the vulnerable, plant trees for our common home, unite for dignity—"faith unites more than it divides." To youth in Košice: "Be witnesses of communion, builders of bridges... in a world marked by division." Even ecumenically, to Orthodox-Catholic pilgrims: shared Creed, shared Easter joy, hope vanquishing sin and death.
Recall Pope Francis on Christmas: God shatters privilege's chains with compassion's caress, turning fear into charity's power. The Child invites a "new social imagination," space for the stranger on our buses, at our doors. These stories illuminate: Christ's birth isn't private; it's a manger manifesto for universal welcome.
Brothers and sisters, the Church is that house God promised David—not bricks, but living stones, you the baptized, called to holiness amid imperfection. "All Christians... are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity." Yet holy and penitent, clasping sinners, on the path to renewal. All mankind is called to this "catholic unity," ordered to salvation by grace. Laypeople share Christ's priesthood, exhibiting Baptism's grace in family, social, ecclesial life.
The Church symbolizes the Father's house, threshold from sin-wounded world to new Life, wiping every tear. Christ's birth demands we cross that threshold daily: welcome the unwelcomed visitor in our cities. In our parishes, neighborhoods, amid migrations and conflicts, reject discrimination; foster encounter, integration. Pope Leo XIV's Jubilee—"Peregrinantes in Spe"—calls us pilgrims in hope, like migrants bearing faith's light. Your family table, workplace, community: make them mangers of mercy.
So, what now? Start small, act boldly. This Christmas, invite the lonely neighbor—migrant, estranged family, forgotten elder—to your table. Volunteer at a shelter, as Catholic Charities does, offering tangible hope. In prayer, echo Zechariah: seek light for those in darkness. Parishioners, form welcome committees for newcomers; youth, build bridges online and off, sowing trust. Families, share stories of your "foreigners" welcomed—turn anecdotes into action.
Do not fear: Christ's tenderness awakens sensitivity. Obey the Spirit in communion, as Pope Leo urges. Plant a tree, defend the vulnerable, speak for dignity—side by side. Measure success not by numbers, but transformed hearts. Holiness blooms in these acts; exclusion withers.
Tonight, the covenant stands forever: David's throne in Christ, Savior for every nation. Zechariah's light breaks upon us—mercy's dawn guiding to peace. Christ's birth compels the Church to welcome all humanity, for in the manger, God chose vulnerability to embrace ours. Let us be that house: open, holy, hopeful.
Go forth as sentinels of tenderness, agents of God's style—closeness, compassion. May Mary, Star of the Morning, intercede; may Almighty God bless you. Merry Christmas—welcome Him, and through Him, welcome all!