Thousands of devotees gathered to witness Pope Leo XIV as he presided over his inaugural Christmas Mass at the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica. This significant event marked a milestone in his papacy, drawing the faithful to both the grandeur of the basilica and the expansive St. Peter’s Square.

On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the crowd assembled in the square, conveying his heartfelt Christmas greetings before the solemn ceremony commenced. His message during the mass resonated deeply, emphasizing Christmas as a celebration of ‘faith, charity, and hope.’ He took the opportunity to voice concerns over a ‘distorted economy’ that reduces human beings to mere commodities, urging a reflection on societal values.

Inside the basilica, approximately 6,000 attendees participated in the solemn mass, enveloped in the reverent atmosphere of the historic venue. Meanwhile, many more braved the elements outside, viewing the service on large screens set up in St. Peter’s Square. Despite the harsh rain, attendees remained undeterred, clutching umbrellas and donning ponchos to share in the spiritual experience.

Prior to the mass, Pope Leo addressed the gathering outside the basilica, extending his gratitude to those enduring the inclement weather to partake in the celebration, thereby highlighting the enduring spirit and devotion of the faithful.

Before, the pope spoke in front of St Peter’s basilica to offer Christmas wishes and thank those who had come to follow the mass on outdoor screens in the rainy weather. 

Many watched the service on screens from St. Peter’s Square, holding umbrellas and wearing ponchos under a hard rain in Rome. 

‘St Peter’s is very large but unfortunately it is not large enough to receive all of you,’ he told the crowd of around 5,000 people.

Pope Leo replaced his predecessor Francis, who died on April 21. 

The service combines traditional music with symbolic gestures such as placing a statue of the baby Jesus in a cradle. 

About 6,000 were in attendance at the solemn service inside the basilica

The service combines traditional music with symbolic gestures such as placing a statue of the baby Jesus in a cradle

Before, the pope spoke in front of St Peter’s basilica to offer Christmas wishes and thank those who had come to follow the mass on outdoor screens in the rainy weather

The mass was attended by high-ranking Church figures, diplomats and around 6,000 faithful.

The ceremony celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of the most important days in the Catholic Church calendar.

The service combines traditional music with symbolic gestures such as placing a statue of the baby Jesus in a cradle.

Leo stuck to a very religious homily without any direct reference to current affairs.

Leo, who has made care ​for immigrants and the poor key themes of his early papacy, said ​Jesus’ birth showed God’s presence in every ​person.

‘On earth, there ⁠is no room for God if there is no room for the human ​person. To refuse one is ‍to refuse the other,’ said the pope.

He quoted a line from the late Pope Benedict XVI lamenting that the world does not care for children, the poor or foreigners.

‘While a distorted economy leads us to treat human beings as mere merchandise, God becomes like us, revealing ⁠the infinite dignity of every person,’ said Leo.

On Thursday, the pope will celebrate a Christmas Day Mass and deliver a twice-yearly ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (to the city and the world) message and blessing

The 70-year-old pope decided to hold the mass at a later time than under his predecessor, the more elderly Francis who would hold Christmas mass at around 1830 GMT

Leo on Tuesday called for a global truce around the world on Christmas Day, expressing ‘great sadness’ that ‘apparently Russia rejected a request’ for one in Ukraine

Christmas 2025 also marks the end of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Holy Year, which has brought millions of pilgrims to Rome

‘Where there is room for the human person, there is room for God,’ he said. ‘Even a stable can become ⁠more sacred than a temple.’

The 70-year-old pope decided to hold the mass at a later time than under his predecessor, the more elderly Francis who would hold Christmas mass at around 1830 GMT. 

In another change, Leo will hold another mass on Christmas Day on Thursday, renewing a tradition from the times of late pope John Paul II (1978-2005). 

Leo on Tuesday called for a global truce around the world on Christmas Day, expressing ‘great sadness’ that ‘apparently Russia rejected a request’ for one in Ukraine.

‘I am renewing my request to all people of good will to respect a day of peace – at least on the feast of the birth of our Saviour,’ Leo told reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome.

On Thursday, the pope will celebrate a Christmas Day Mass and deliver a twice-yearly ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (to the city and the world) message and blessing.

Christmas 2025 also marks the end of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Holy Year, which has brought millions of pilgrims to Rome.