Pope Leo XIV, on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, delivered a deeply reflective and heartfelt homily at St. Peter’s Basilica, calling for renewed hope, humility, and respect for human dignity in a world facing many challenges.
As he presided over the midnight Mass, attended by over 5,000 people and watched by millions around the world, the Pope’s message resonated with core Christian values of charity, peace, and the importance of recognizing the divine in the vulnerable.
A source close to St. Peter’s Basilica revealed to the media on December 25, 2025, that the Pope began by recalling humanity’s long search for meaning, highlighting how, for centuries, people have looked to the heavens, seeking truth among the stars.
However, the Pope emphasized that the true source of salvation does not lie in power or grandeur but in the humble birth of Christ.
“This night,” quoting Scripture, “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” For the pontiff, the birth of Jesus is not just a historical event but a beacon of life for all humanity, illuminating every form of darkness,” the Pope declared.
He reminded the faithful that Christ’s birth is a manifestation of God’s closeness to humanity.
“Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you, who is Christ the Lord,” adding that the light of Christ brings salvation to all. In this light, the Pope emphasized, humanity finds hope, joy, and the promise of eternal life,” he explained.
The Pope’s message was also a call to reflect on social and moral issues. He warned against the exclusion of the weak and vulnerable in society, highlighting the contrast between human ambition and divine humility.
The Pope said, while human beings often seek to dominate others, God chose to become human to free people from the bonds of sin and oppression. “While humanity seeks to become ‘god’ in order to dominate others, God chooses to become man in order to free us from every form of slavery,” the Pope stated.
The source further noted that the Christmas homily focused heavily on the critical importance of human dignity. The Pope criticized economic systems that strip people of their inherent worth, noting that in Christ, God affirms the dignity of every person.
“While a distorted economy sometimes leads men to be treated as goods, God makes himself similar to us, revealing the infinite dignity of every person,” the Pope said.
This message, deeply connected to the social realities of today, served as a moral critique of modern societies that prioritize material wealth over human welfare.
Additionally, Pope Leo XIV called on the faithful to look beyond superficial grandeur and power when seeking God.
To truly find God, he explained, one must look to the humility of the Christ Child in the manger.
“The omnipotence of God lies in the impotence of a newborn,” adding that God’s greatness is revealed in the vulnerability of Jesus, who chose to be born in a humble stable,” he emphasized.
Finally, the Pope’s Christmas message was a call to action, urging believers to embody the virtues of hope, faith, and charity. He encouraged the faithful to spread these values throughout the world, especially in times of suffering and injustice.
“The Nativity of Jesus revives in us the gift and the commitment to bring hope where it has been lost,” emphasizing that Christ’s birth is a reminder of our responsibility to be messengers of peace and hope,” he said.
As the Mass concluded with the singing of Christmas carols and the lighting of the Christ Child statue, Pope Leo XIV reminded the world that Christmas is not merely a celebration of past events but a call to live with renewed faith, humility, and love for all humanity.
“With these virtues in our hearts, without fear of the night, we can go against the dawn of the new day,” he urged, encouraging believers to let the light of Christ guide them through the challenges of the world.
This Christmas homily serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of human dignity, social justice, and the humility that should define both personal lives and broader societal values. Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace, love, and the recognition of God’s presence in the vulnerable resonates deeply in a world that continues to struggle with inequality and injustice.
