Pope Urges Global Compassion, Peace, and Solidarity in Christmas Message

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Thursday, December 25th, 2025

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Source: Anadolu Agency
Delivering his first Christmas Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV offered a powerful message of compassion, focusing on the suffering of civilians in Gaza and the hardships faced by refugees and displaced people across the world.
Reflecting on the meaning of Christmas, the pontiff said that since God chose to dwell among humanity, people must not turn away from those enduring pain and hardship. He drew attention to families in Gaza living in fragile tents amid weeks of rain, cold winds, and harsh winter conditions, describing their situation as a moral call to the global conscience.
Gaza continues to face devastating consequences of prolonged conflict. More than 71,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, while widespread destruction has left hundreds of thousands displaced. Although a ceasefire was agreed in October, ongoing violations and renewed attacks have further deepened the humanitarian crisis. Winter storms have worsened living conditions, with many families surviving without heating, electricity, or basic shelter.
Citing figures from Gaza’s government media office, the pope noted that hundreds more have been killed and many injured in recent attacks. He also broadened his message to include refugees and homeless people worldwide, living under makeshift shelters and enduring insecurity and neglect.
Pope Leo spoke about the fragility of human life, particularly young people forced into armed conflicts, saying many feel the emptiness of wars driven by false narratives and distant decision-makers. He urged people to move beyond indifference and engage with the suffering of others through empathy and tenderness.
In his Christmas Urbi et Orbi address, the pope renewed his call for peace, dialogue, and responsibility. He prayed for justice and stability in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and Syria, urged an end to the war in Ukraine, and expressed solidarity with victims of violence in Africa and beyond.