VATICAN CITY, Dec 25 — Pope Leo XIV on Thursday urged Catholics to confront global suffering with compassion, highlighting the struggles of refugees, the impoverished, and those affected by conflict and natural disasters.
Addressing tens of thousands from St. Peter’s Square in his first Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” message, the US-born pontiff said, “If he would truly enter into the suffering of others and stand in solidarity with the weak and the oppressed, then the world would change.”
The pope specifically mentioned the humanitarian crises in Gaza, Yemen, Ukraine, and countries across Africa including Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Congo. He called for justice and stability in the Middle East and prayers for victims of wars, persecution, and terrorism worldwide.
Leo also stressed the need for dialogue to resolve challenges in Latin America, reconciliation in Myanmar, and restoration of relations between Thailand and Cambodia, while advocating support for victims of natural disasters in South Asia and Oceania.
During the Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, decorated with red poinsettias and white flowers at the feet of a statue of Mary, Leo emphasized that peace stems from listening to others rather than speaking over them.
“There will be peace when our monologues are interrupted and, enriched by listening, we fall to our knees before the humanity of the other,” he said, referring to populations exposed to war, cold, and displacement.
Leo’s greetings in English and Spanish drew particularly strong applause, reviving the tradition of multilingual Christmas messages dropped by his predecessor, Pope Francis. The pontiff briefly toured St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile before addressing the crowd, waving to supporters who had braved a steady downpour earlier in the day.
