Reflecting on the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem stable, Pope Francis conveyed in his Christmas Eve homily that the ongoing “clash of arms” in the world hinders Jesus from finding a place.
Presiding over the evening Mass on Sunday, the pontiff led approximately 6,500 faithful in St. Peter’s Basilica. The congregation occupied their positions amidst the grandeur of the basilica, surrounded by rows of prelates dressed in white.
In his Christmas Eve homily, Pope Francis expressed sorrow that Bethlehem, symbolizing the birthplace of Jesus, is marred by the “futile logic of war,” referencing the conflict sparked by Hamas’ actions on October 7 in Israel. The pope emphasized the rejection of the Prince of Peace amid ongoing hostilities.
At the start of Mass, a statuette of the Christ child was revealed, surrounded by greenery and white flowers. Children from diverse backgrounds placed flowers around a gilded throne. Pope Francis, adorned in white robes, conducted the Mass at the base of a grand column in St. Peter’s.
Drawing attention to Jesus’ humble birth during a census reinforcing King David’s power, Francis cautioned against the pursuit of worldly power, fame, and success, critiquing a world fixated on achievements and numbers. In contrast, he portrayed Jesus as entering the world humbly, embodying mercy rather than wrath.
The pope contrasted a pagan deity associated with power and consumerism with God, emphasizing that God doesn’t promise instant solutions but instead approaches to transform the world from within, without resorting to the allure of commerce or shortcuts.
When the Christmas Eve Mass ended, the pope, pushed in a wheelchair, moved down the basilica with the life-sized statue of Baby Jesus on his lap and flanked by children carrying bouquets. The statue was placed in a manger in a nativity scene in the basilica.
Francis, 87, has been using a wheelchair to navigate long distances due to a painful knee ligament and a cane for shorter distances. the birth of Jesus
During the traditional Angelus blessing overlooking St. Peter’s Square at midday, the pontiff remembered those suffering from war, recalling specific fighting in Ukraine and Israel’s bombardment and siege of the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’ attack.
“We are close to our brothers and sisters suffering from war. We think of Palestine, Israel, Ukraine. We also think of those who suffer from misery, hunger, slavery,’’ Francis said. “May the God who took a human heart for himself infuse humanity into the hearts of men,” he added.
Speaking from the window of his studio to the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer, the pontiff also invited the faithful “not to confuse celebration with consumerism. One can and, as a Christian, must celebrate in simplicity without waste and by sharing with those who lack necessities or lack companionship.”
Traditionally, Catholics mark Christmas Eve by attending Mass at midnight. But over the years, the starting time at the Vatican has crept earlier, reflecting the health or stamina of popes and then the pandemic. The Vatican has kept a 7:30 p.m. time originally set during a pandemic curfew.
On Christmas Day, tens of thousands of Romans, tourists and pilgrims were expected to crowd into St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Francis deliver an address on world issues and give his blessing. The speech, known in Latin as “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world), is traditionally an occasion to review crises including war, persecution and hunger, in many parts of the globe.