Pope Leo XIV Urges Embrace of the Poor in Christmas Eve Sermon
Pope Leo's Christmas Eve Call to Embrace the Poor
On Christmas Eve 2025, Pope Leo XIV delivered a poignant sermon during midnight mass at St. Peter's Basilica, drawing from the Nativity story to challenge Christians worldwide. He emphasized that Jesus' birth in a humble stable, due to no room at the inn, mirrors modern indifference toward the needy. Refusing aid to the poor and strangers equates to rejecting God Himself, the Pope declared, urging believers to recognize divine presence in every person.[1][2]
Context of a New Papacy
As the first U.S. pope, elected in May 2025, Leo XIV has prioritized care for immigrants and marginalized groups in his early tenure. Speaking to thousands inside the basilica and in St. Peter's Square via screens, he wove this message into his inaugural Christmas celebration. This theme resonates deeply amid global conflicts, setting a tone for his upcoming Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas Day.[2][3]
Implications for Faithful Today
Leo’s words invite reflection: in a world of inequality, acts of compassion become sacred duties. By linking biblical origins to contemporary crises, he calls for open hearts and hands, transforming holiday cheer into year-round solidarity. This sermon not only inspires but compels action, reminding all that true faith welcomes the stranger as Christ.[1][4]
About the People Mentioned
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in the Chicago area, is the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church. He was elected on May 8, 2025, marking a significant moment as the first American and first Peruvian pope. His background is deeply rooted in the Order of St. Augustine, which he joined after graduating from Villanova University in 1977. He professed his solemn vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1982. Pope Leo XIV holds a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He has extensive experience in missionary work, particularly in Peru, where he served in various roles, including as the judicial vicar of the Archdiocese of Trujillo and as a professor of canon, patristic, and moral law at the San Carlos e San Marcelo Major Seminary. His leadership roles expanded when he was elected to oversee his order's province and later the worldwide Order of St. Augustine for 12 years. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him to lead the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, a position he held for nine years. In 2023, he was created a cardinal by Pope Francis and appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. This role involved overseeing the appointments of bishops worldwide. Pope Leo XIV's current relevance lies in his unique blend of American and Peruvian heritage, which brings a global perspective to the papacy. His election has been seen as a milestone in the Church's history, marking a new era of leadership shaped by his missionary experience and theological background.
