Pope Leo XIV Delivers Emotional Christmas Plea: "Choose Peace Over the Madness of War"
Published Date: 25th Dec, 2025
December 25, 2025
On a rain-swept Christmas morning in Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV made his historic debut on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, delivering a powerful Urbi et Orbi message that blended hope, sorrow, and an urgent appeal for global peace in his first Christmas as leader of the Catholic Church.
A Return to Tradition Under the New Pontiff
The 266th Pope, the first American to hold the office, revived several cherished customs on this sacred day. He celebrated Christmas Day Mass inside the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica—a practice largely discontinued after the era of St. John Paul II—and delighted pilgrims by circling the square in the open popemobile, waving warmly despite persistent drizzle.
An estimated 26,000 faithful braved the wet weather in St. Peter's Square, rewarded with multilingual greetings from the Pope in Italian, English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and more—a broad embrace that echoed the universality of his message.
Heartfelt Call: Peace as God's Gift and Human Task
Speaking from the balcony overlooking the glistening square, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Bethlehem scene, describing the newborn Jesus as the ultimate sign that peace is both a divine offering and a shared responsibility.
He poignantly quoted Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai, contrasting fragile political ceasefires with a deeper peace that emerges unexpectedly "in the middle of the battlefield, like wildflowers" when exhaustion finally prevails.
The Pope decried the "madness" of ongoing wars, lamenting how they reduce cities to rubble and leave innocent civilians bearing unbearable wounds.
Direct Appeals to Troubled Regions
The pontiff shone a spotlight on acute suffering worldwide. He spoke movingly of Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe, where people continue to endure hardship even amid tentative truces. Yemen's forgotten crises and the perilous journeys of migrants fleeing violence, poverty, and despair—across deserts, seas, and the Americas—also drew his prayers.
He remembered overlooked conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and communities devastated by recent natural disasters in South Asia and Oceania.
In a pointed reference to Ukraine, Pope Leo XIV urged leaders to find the "courage" for genuine dialogue to silence the guns once and for all.
Reject Indifference, Embrace the Vulnerable
Building on themes from his Christmas Eve homily, the Pope warned against the temptation of indifference toward the poor, the stranger, and the marginalized, insisting that turning away from those in need is tantamount to rejecting God Himself.
He invited the world to open hearts to the Child in the manger, allowing His light to inspire acts of charity, hope, and solidarity.
Blessing to the City and the World
The traditional Urbi et Orbi ("to the city and to the world") blessing, carrying a plenary indulgence for those present or following through media, reached millions across continents, offering spiritual renewal on this day of joy.
As the rain eased and applause swelled, Pope Leo XIV's address struck a balance of gentle pastoral care and prophetic challenge, marking a confident start to his papacy.
In an era marked by division and strife, his Christmas words stood as a beacon: the Prince of Peace calls humanity not to temporary pauses in violence, but to a lasting commitment to justice, compassion, and reconciliation.
This inaugural festive message from Pope Leo XIV reaffirms the enduring power of the Vatican's voice in advocating for the world's most vulnerable, reminding believers and non-believers alike that true peace begins in the heart.
Date: 25th Dec, 2025
