News - Pope Leo's Christmas Call: Embrace Fragility and Compassion

In a heartfelt Christmas Eve Mass homily, Pope Leo urged the faithful to view Christmas as a reminder of our shared fragility and to respond with compassion rather than indifference. He clarified that peace is already among us, but it's often overlooked amidst suffering. Reflecting on silent and vulnerable aspects of the divine birth, he connected this to present-day human struggles, referencing those living in war-torn areas, refugees without shelter, and displaced individuals worldwide. He drew attention to young people conscripted into warfare, underlining the devastating effects on their mental and moral wellbeing. Criticizing the distorted narratives that justify conflict, he emphasized the urgency of hearing others' suffering to facilitate genuine peace. Across the homily, he spoke of peace as beginning when we allow others' suffering to unsettle our comfortable beliefs. Ending the Mass, he championed dialogue over domination, warning against insular faith and urging the Church to engage with broader human struggles. Pope Leo's focus on humanitarian crises, particularly the human cost of conflict and homelessness, remains a central theme of his papacy. His Christmas message reiterated calls for humility, communication, and action, deepening the commitment to addressing global injustices compassionately.