What the Pope Said Over Christmas

Jason Scott’s weekly review of Pope Leo XIV’s audiences – 

Friday, 19 December: To Young People of Italian Catholic Action

Pope Leo XIV greeted youth from Italian Catholic Action, praising their faith witness and tying it to Advent’s Nativity scene, symbolising room for all in Christ’s love.

“Dear young people, in these days of Advent, as you prepare for Christmas, I invite you to pause before the Nativity scene… There, around the Lord who is born for us, you can see concretely that ‘There is room for everyone’. ”

He encouraged angelic proclamation of peace through holiness like saints Frassati and Acutis, fostering justice-based fraternity in daily life.

Saturday, 20 December: Jubilee Audience on Hope and Mary

In the final Jubilee Audience, the Pope reflected on hope as generative, with Mary as a model, amid Christmas’s mercy.

“For in this hope we were saved (Rom 8:24). Hope is a theological virtue… that generates and regenerates life.”

Critiquing wealth inequality, he called for sharing creation, birthing the Word through Marian devotion toward renewed harmony.

Sunday, 21 December: Angelus on Saint Joseph

Meditating on Joseph as a merciful “just man,” the Pope highlighted his faithful abandonment to God’s plan.

“Joseph is a just man (Mt 1:19), who observes the Law, but with mercy… true justice is always tempered with mercy.”

He urged Advent virtues of piety and forgiveness, making hearts mangers; and he blessed Child Jesus figurines and prayed for global peace.

Monday, 22 December: Greetings to Vatican Employees

Exchanging Christmas wishes with staff and families, the Pope noted Nativity figures elevating daily work in God’s plan.

“Before the Nativity scene… we see figures representing various trades… every human activity, when done with dedication, finds its place in God’s plan.”

Advocating humility as Church style, he wished joy, extending prayers to the homebound.

Wednesday, 24 December: Christmas Eve Mass

In his homily, the Pope contrasted star-gazing with Christ’s redeeming light in vulnerability.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light (Is 9:2)… This light is Jesus…who enters the night to redeem it.”

Urging recognition of divine dignity, he called for room for the marginalised, proclaiming hope as shepherds did.

Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day Mass

Proclaiming peace through Incarnation, the Pope marvelled at the Word’s fragile flesh.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14)… This flesh is fragile, inviting us to welcome the vulnerable.”

Connecting to sufferings like wars, he urged missionary dialogue and tenderness, guided by Mary.

Friday, 26 December: Angelus on Saint Stephen

Portraying Stephen’s martyrdom as rebirth, the Pope emphasised forgiveness shining in persecution.

“Stephen’s face shone like that of an angel (Acts 6:15)… we see the true meaning of Christmas: being reborn as children of God.”
Encouraging fraternity amid uncertainty, he invoked Stephen for persecuted Christians and reconciliation.

Take-away points:

• Embrace the Nativity as a symbol of inclusivity, making room for everyone in Christ’s love and fostering peace through daily acts of justice and reconciliation.

• Hope is a generative force, exemplified by Mary, calling believers to participate in birthing God’s Word and addressing global inequalities.

• Follow Saint Joseph’s example of mercy, piety, and abandonment to divine will, transforming hearts into welcoming mangers during Advent.

• View daily work and humility as integral to God’s plan, inspired by the simplicity of the Christmas story.

• Recognise Christ’s light in vulnerability, redeeming darkness and urging room for the marginalised in a world of injustice.

• The Incarnation invites tenderness toward the fragile, promoting missionary dialogue and peace amid contemporary sufferings.

• Martyrdom, like Saint Stephen’s, reveals Christmas as an ongoing rebirth through forgiveness and fraternity.

Sources:
1. https://www.vatican.va/content/leoxiv/en/speeches/2025/december/documents/20251219-ragazzi-aci.html
2. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/audiences/2025/documents/20251220udienza-giubilare.html
3. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2025/documents/20251221angelus.html
4. https://www.vatican.va/content/leoxiv/en/speeches/2025/december/documents/20251222-auguri-dipendenti.html
5. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2025/documents/20251224messa-notte-natale.html
6. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2025/documents/20251225messa-natale.html
7. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2025/documents/20251226angelus.html