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Before the Christmas Eve mass, the pontiff wanted to personally greet the faithful who remained outside St. Peter’s Basilica to follow the celebration from the giant screens
Il Pope surprisingly went out into St. Peter’s Square in the rain to greet those present before celebrating Christmas Eve mass. «Thank you for coming even in the rain! Best wishes to everyone!” he said.
And he added: «This evening, even in this climate, we want to celebrate the Christmas holiday together. Jesus Christ, who was born for us, brings us peace, brings us the love of God. Best wishes to all of you. Follow the celebration on the screens. God protect you and bless all your families. In the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit, amen. Best wishes to everyone.”
In fact, many faithful – around 5 thousand according to the note from the Vatican press office – gathered outside St. Peter’s Basilica to follow the function ahead to big screensin the cold and under water.
Immediately afterwards Pope Leo entered St. Peter’s Basilica in procession for the celebrations. And before presiding over the mass, he discovered the face of the little child in the nativity scene placed on a small throne in front of the altar of Confession. The Pontiff’s gesture was followed by a floral tribute by some children from different parts of the world, including Ukraine.
In the homily the pontiff said: «Jesus surprises the world» and illuminates «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. It is the Christmas of Jesus, Emmanuel. In the Son made man, God does not give us something, but Himself.”
And again: «While a distorted economy leads to treat men like commoditiesGod becomes similar to us, revealing the infinite dignity of every person. While man wants to become God to dominate over others, God wants to become man to free us from all slavery. Will this love be enough for us to change our history?”. «In the face of violence and oppression, in the child Jesus, God gives the world a new life: his, for everyone».
The mass ended with the pontiff taking the Baby Jesus to bring it in front of the nativity scene and place it in the manger. The procession was accompanied by children representing the different continents.
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December 24, 2025 (changed December 25, 2025 | 00:09)
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