Pope Leo XIV Calls for ‘Solidarity’ With Migrants ‘Who Traverse the American Continent,’ ‘Tormented People of Ukraine’ in First Christmas Message
Pope Leo XIV He used his first Christmas message to appeal for compassion for the poor, people in war-torn regions such as Ukraine, and immigrants “traversing the Americas.”
Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevostmade history in May first American pope. Catholics in his hometown of Chicago also applauded his choice others had worked with him throughout his long career.
Pope’s “Urbi and Orbi” message — Latin for “to the city” [of Rome] and to the world” – is a prayer offered from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on special occasions such as Christmas and Easter, a tradition that the Catholic Church has maintained for centuries. The weather was cold and rainy, but thousands of A large number of the faithful still came to hear Leo speak.
In this year’s message (delivered in Italian, English transcript here), Leo began by speaking of the “sharing of responsibilities” in which Christians should “love their brothers” and “be in solidarity with the weak and oppressed”:
Already at the birth of Jesus, we glimpse the fundamental decision that would guide the Son of God throughout his life, even down to his death on the cross: the decision not to leave us burdened with sin, to take it on for us, to take it upon himself. Only he could do this. But it also showed us what we can do alone, that is, take on our own share of responsibility. As a matter of fact, God, who created us without us, does not save us without us, that is, without our free will to love. Those who do not love are not saved; they disappeared. And he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
Sisters and brothers, responsibility is the sure way to peace. If all of us, at every level, would stop blaming others, admit our own mistakes, ask God for forgiveness, and truly share in the suffering of others and stand in solidarity with the weak and oppressed, then the world would change.
Leo prayed specifically for people in many troubled areas of the world;[ing] For justice, peace and stability for Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria; praying for people in war zones “in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of Congo”; Prayer for an end to “all forms of violence” and progress toward peace and reconciliation in Haiti; those suffering from “recent devastating natural disasters” in South Asia and Oceania; and a prayer for an end to Russia’s occupation of Ukraine:
Let us entrust the entire European continent to the Prince of Peace and ask him to continue to inspire a spirit of community and cooperation, remaining true to his Christian roots and history and solidarity with and acceptance of those in need. Let us pray in a special way for the oppressed people of Ukraine: may the gunfire cease, and may the parties concerned find the courage to engage in frank, direct and respectful dialogue with the support and determination of the international community.
Calling for empathy for the poor and immigrants, the Pope said, “Let us not allow ourselves to be indifferent to those who suffer, because God is not indifferent to our sufferings.”
In becoming man, Jesus took on our vulnerability and identified each of us: with those who had nothing left and lost everything, like the residents of Gaza; With those who are victims of hunger and poverty, like the people of Yemen; With those who flee their homeland in search of another future, such as the many refugees and migrants who cross the Mediterranean or cross the American continent; with those who lost their jobs and job seekers, such as many young people who have difficulty finding a job; with the exploited, such as many low-wage workers; Often with those in prison living in inhumane conditions.
Leo concluded his message by hoping that everyone can “open our hearts to our brothers and sisters in need or suffering,” because “in doing so we open our hearts to the Child Jesus, who welcomes us with open arms and reveals his divinity to us: ‘But to all who received him… he gave the power to become children of God.’”
“In a few days, the Jubilee Year will end,” he continued. “The Holy Doors will be closed, but Christ our hope will always remain with us! He is the always open Door that leads us to the divine life. This is the joyful announcement of this day: The born Child is man, God’s creation; he comes not to condemn but to save; his is not a passing appearance, for he comes to stay and give himself. In him every wound is healed and every heart finds peace and rest. ‘The birth of the Lord is the birth of peace.'”
“My sincerest wishes to all of you for a peaceful and holy Christmas!”
Watch via the video above Vatican News on YouTube.
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