VATICAN CITY, December 25, 2025 – In his inaugural Christmas Day Mass and subsequent "Urbi et Orbi" blessing delivered from St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, drew poignant parallels between the nativity story and the ongoing hardships faced by displaced Palestinians in Gaza amid harsh winter conditions. Addressing thousands gathered in a rain-soaked St. Peter’s Square and millions worldwide, the pope evoked the fragile tents sheltering Gazans from weeks of rain, wind, and cold, linking their plight to the biblical account of Jesus being born in a stable.
"Since the Word was made flesh, humanity now speaks crying out with God's own desire to encounter us. The Word has pitched His fragile tent among us," Pope Leo said during the homily at Christmas Mass. "How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed to weeks of rain, and wind, and cold?" This direct reference underscored the pontiff's emphasis on human fragility in the face of conflict and displacement.
The pope expanded on this theme in his "Urbi et Orbi" message – Latin for "to the city and to the world" – delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. He identified Jesus with "those who have nothing left and have lost everything, like the inhabitants of Gaza," while also mentioning the suffering of Yemenis facing hunger and poverty, refugees crossing the Mediterranean or the Americas, and victims of wars worldwide. "Fragile is the flesh of defenseless populations tried by so many wars ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds," he stated, criticizing the senselessness of sending young people to fight in conflicts driven by "pompous speeches."
Pope Leo, elected in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis, has consistently highlighted humanitarian crises since taking office. His Christmas remarks align with previous calls for peace in the Middle East, including solidarity with migrants and opposition to dehumanizing policies.
The two-year Israel-Hamas war, triggered by Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, resulted in extensive destruction in Gaza. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in October 2025, halting major hostilities, but reports indicate ongoing incidents and restrictions on aid. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, as cited by UN agencies, over 70,000 Palestinians were killed during the active phase of the war, with thousands more injured or displaced. Post-ceasefire, violations have been reported by both sides, with Palestinian authorities claiming hundreds of deaths from Israeli actions and the IDF citing responses to threats.
Winter storms in December 2025 have exacerbated conditions for Gaza's nearly 2 million displaced residents, many living in makeshift tents lacking proper insulation, heating, or sanitation. Heavy rains caused widespread flooding, leading to hypothermia cases, including infant deaths, and collapses of damaged structures. UN reports note that aid deliveries remain insufficient, with restrictions on shelter materials and fuel contributing to the crisis. Humanitarian organizations warn of heightened risks of disease and exposure as temperatures drop.
In his message, Pope Leo renewed calls for peace, urging "the clamor of weapons to cease" in Ukraine and advocating sincere dialogue. He prayed for justice and stability in Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, and Syria, while expressing solidarity with victims in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and those facing persecution or terrorism. Notably, he called for restoring the "ancient friendship" between Thailand and Cambodia amid recent border tensions.
The pope emphasized tenderness and responsibility as paths to peace: "Jesus wants us to touch human misery, to touch the suffering flesh of others. He hopes that we will stop looking for those personal or communal niches which shelter us from the maelstrom of human misfortune and instead enter into the reality of other people's lives."
Crowds braved inclement weather for the events, with the pope acknowledging their perseverance. The Christmas Day Mass revived a tradition not observed since 1994, symbolizing Leo's deliberate and diplomatic style.
As the Catholic Church concludes its 2025 Jubilee Year, Pope Leo's message reinforced themes of compassion amid global fragility, urging the faithful to embrace vulnerability as a divine invitation to solidarity.
