Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass as pope on Wednesday at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. He led the liturgy, addressed worshippers, and delivered a homily on faith, charity, and hope.
The pope greeted the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square before the Mass. He thanked them for attending and for watching the service on outdoor screens despite the rain. He said the basilica could not hold everyone who came.
Vatican officials estimated that about 5,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square. About 6,000 faithful, along with senior Church officials and members of the diplomatic corps, attended the Mass inside the basilica.
Pope Leo XIV, 70, is the first pope from the United States. His homily focused on spiritual themes and did not refer to specific current political events.
The Christmas Mass commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. The service included prayers, readings, sacred music, and the placement of a statue of the baby Jesus in a cradle.
The Vatican held the Mass at a later hour than in past years. Under Pope Francis, the Christmas Eve Mass usually began at about 1830 GMT. Vatican officials said the change reflected Pope Leo XIV’s liturgical preferences, not health concerns.
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church from 2013, died on April 21.
The Vatican said Pope Leo XIV will celebrate another Mass on Christmas Day on Thursday. This follows a practice observed during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II from 1978 to 2005.
Pope Leo XIV will also deliver the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Thursday at 1100 GMT from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The message addresses the city of Rome and the world.
On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV called for a global truce on Christmas Day. He made the appeal during remarks to reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome. He said Russia had rejected a request for a pause in fighting in Ukraine and urged people to observe one day of peace.
The Vatican said Christmas 2025 marks the end of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Holy Year. Church officials said the jubilee drew millions of pilgrims to Rome.
