Pope Leo XIV's First Christmas: Powerful Call for Peace in Landmark Urbi et Orbi Address

December 25, 2025

In his inaugural Christmas message as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV delivered a poignant Urbi et Orbi blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, urging the world to embrace shared responsibility for peace amid ongoing global conflicts and humanitarian crises.

Historic Moment: New Pope Revives Traditions

The American-born Pope Leo XIV, elected earlier this year following the passing of Pope Francis, marked his first Christmas at the Vatican with several revived customs. He celebrated the Christmas Day Mass in St. Peter's Basilica—a tradition last observed regularly under St. John Paul II—and surprised crowds by touring the square in the popemobile despite drizzling rain.

Addressing an estimated 26,000 faithful gathered below, the pontiff extended Christmas greetings in multiple languages, including Italian, English, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese, restoring a practice set aside by his predecessor.

Core Message: Peace as Gift and Duty

Drawing on the Nativity story, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that true peace is both God's gift and humanity's obligation. He quoted a poem by Israeli writer Yehuda Amichai to contrast fleeting ceasefires with a deeper, unexpected peace that blooms "like wildflowers" after exhaustion.

The Pope condemned the "senselessness" of war, lamenting the "rubble and open wounds" it inflicts on defenseless populations.

Spotlight on Global Hotspots

In a direct appeal, he highlighted acute suffering in Gaza, describing dire humanitarian conditions where people endure hardship even after recent fragile ceasefires. He also drew attention to Yemen's ongoing crises and the plight of migrants and refugees traversing continents, including the Americas, fleeing war, poverty, and persecution.

Extending prayers to forgotten conflicts, Pope Leo XIV invoked peace for regions like Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and areas affected by natural disasters in South Asia and Oceania.

On Ukraine, he called on leaders to summon the "courage" for direct dialogue to end hostilities.

Broader Themes: Compassion Over Indifference

Echoing remarks from his Christmas Eve homily, the pontiff urged rejection of indifference toward the poor, strangers, and vulnerable—warning that denying aid equates to rejecting God Himself. He stressed opening hearts to the Child Jesus as a path to charity, hope, and solidarity.

A Plenary Indulgence and Global Reach

The Urbi et Orbi blessing, traditionally accompanied by a plenary indulgence for participants in person or via media, reached millions worldwide, underscoring the universal scope of the Christmas message.

As rain cleared and crowds cheered, Pope Leo XIV's address blended spiritual reflection with urgent calls for action, setting a tone of compassionate engagement for his young papacy.

In a world shadowed by division, his words served as a reminder: the Bethlehem Child brings light to darkness, inviting all to build a peace that endures beyond temporary truces.

This first Christmas under Pope Leo XIV reaffirms the Vatican's role as a voice for the voiceless, blending tradition with timely pleas for humanity's shared future.