Full house at Christmas Eve Mass in San Pedro

Johan Pacheco, Vatican News.

“Behold the star that surprises the world, a newly lit spark, resplendent with life: «Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord» (Lk 2:11),” said Pope Leo XIV in his homily during Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.  He urged everyone to admire the wisdom of Christmas: “In the child Jesus, God gives the world new life.”.

At the beginning of the ceremony, in preparation for the Eucharist, some biblical passages announcing the birth of the Savior were read, followed by the proclamation of the Kalenda—the announcement of Christmas and the expectation of salvation. The Holy Father then unveiled the image of the Child Jesus to incense him, accompanied by a group of children from various countries: South Korea, India, Mozambique, Paraguay, Poland, and Ukraine. He then continued with the initial rites of the Mass.

In his homily, the Pope reflected on the eloquence of the cry of the fragile child born in Bethlehem who brings salvation, whom we can find by looking close to us, since God became man to free us from the slavery of sin.   

“He who gives his life for us lives among us, illuminating our night with salvation. There is no darkness that this star does not illuminate, because in its light all humanity sees the dawn of a new and eternal existence,” said Leo XIV.

The Holy Father said that “it is the birth of Jesus, the Emmanuel. In the Son made man, God does not give us something, but himself, «to save us from all iniquity, to purify us and to create for himself a chosen people» (Titus 2:14).” And to find the Savior, the Pontiff specified with the Gospel: «a newborn child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger» (Lk 2:12).

Look down

“To find the Savior, we must not look up, but look down: God's omnipotence shines forth in the helplessness of a newborn baby; the eloquence of the eternal Word resounds in the first cry of an infant; the holiness of the Spirit shines forth in that little body, clean and wrapped in swaddling clothes,” said the Pope.

Recalling a homily by Benedict XVI: «There is no room for others, for children, the poor, foreigners,» he pointed out that these words are “so relevant today, reminding us that there is no room for God on earth if there is no room for man: not welcoming one means rejecting the other. On the other hand, where there is room for man, there is room for God; and then a stable can become more sacred than a temple and the womb of the Virgin Mary, the ark of the new covenant.”.

The Pope invited us to admire the wisdom of Christmas: “In the child Jesus, God gives the world a new life—his own—for everyone. It is not an idea that solves all problems, but a story of love that involves us all.”.

“As St. Augustine pointed out, «Human pride oppressed you so much that only divine humility could lift you up» (Sermo in Natale Domini, 188, III, 3).

Infinite dignity

And he warns that “yes, while a distorted economy leads us to treat men as commodities, God becomes like us, revealing the infinite dignity of each person. While man wants to become God in order to dominate his neighbor, God wants to become man in order to free us from all slavery.”.

“Will this love be enough to change our history?” asks Pope Leo XIV. He indicates that “the answer comes as soon as we wake up, like the shepherds, from a deadly night, in the light of new life, contemplating the baby Jesus.”.

He also recalled Pope Francis“ words on Christmas Eve 2024: «The birth of Jesus rekindles in us »the gift and task of bringing hope where it has been lost.”".

Gratitude and mission

And with the imminent end of the Jubilee Year, he urges that Christmas be a time of “Gratitude for the gift received” and “mission to bear witness to this gift to the world.”.

The Pope concluded by proclaiming that Christmas is a celebration of faith, charity, and hope: «It is a celebration of faith, because God becomes man, born of the Virgin. It is a celebration of charity, because the gift of the Redeemer Son is realized in fraternal self-giving. It is a celebration of hope, because the child Jesus kindles it in us, making us messengers of peace.”.

Jesus Christ brings us peace

Around 6,000 people attended Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, while nearly 5,000 people gathered in the square in the rain. The Pope greeted them before the ceremony began: “Thank you very much for being here tonight, even in this weather. We want to celebrate Christmas together. Jesus Christ, who was born for us, brings us peace, brings us God's love.”.