VATICAN CITY — In a rain-soaked Christmas Eve service at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo warned the faithful that turning away from the poor and the marginalized is equivalent to rejecting God.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Drawing parallels between the biblical story of Jesus being born in a stable and modern-day social issues, the 70-year-old pontiff emphasized that the absence of “room at the inn” should serve as a permanent lesson for Christians. “On earth, there is no room for God if there is no room for the human person,” Leo told a crowd of 6,000.
The first American-born pope, who took office in May following the death of Pope Francis, used his first Christmas liturgy to criticize a “distorted economy” that commodifies human life. Quoting his predecessor, Benedict XVI, he lamented the global indifference toward refugees and children.
Despite heavy rain, thousands gathered in the square to hear the message. Pope Leo made a point to greet the crowds outside before the Mass, praising their “courage” for braving the weather. The Vatican schedule continues Thursday with the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.
From the Manger to the Margins: Pope Leo’s First Christmas Message
Even a hard Roman rain could not dampen the message of Pope Leo’s first Christmas at the Vatican. Standing before a global audience of 1.4 billion Catholics, the new pontiff delivered a sharp, theological challenge: to love God is to serve the stranger.
“To refuse one is to refuse the other,” Leo declared, framing the Nativity not just as a historical event, but as a modern mandate. His homily targeted the “merchandise” mindset of global economics, arguing that the infinite dignity of the person is revealed in the poverty of the manger.
The sermon solidified the themes of Leo’s early papacy—a direct continuation of the social justice focus of the late Pope Francis, but with the distinct voice of the Church’s first U.S. leader. By highlighting the sanctity of the stable over the temple, Leo signaled a papacy focused on the “peripheries” of society.
As the service ended, the focus shifted toward Thursday’s Urbi et Orbi address, where the pope is expected to further address international concerns regarding immigration and economic inequality.
Key Improvements Made:
- Stronger Verbs: Swapped “said” for more descriptive terms like declared, emphasized, lamented, and signaled.
- Structural Flow: Grouped the political context (Trump/U.S. background) more naturally within the narrative of his “early papacy.”
- Atmosphere: Better integrated the weather and the crowd’s reaction to create a “sense of place.”
