Pope Leo XIV has celebrated his first Christmas as Pontiff, presiding over a solemn Midnight Mass at St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. The event marked a significant moment for the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church and drew thousands of worshippers both in Rome and at the traditional birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem.
A New Pontiff's First Christmas Celebration
The 70-year-old Pope led the ceremony on Wednesday night, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and stands as one of the most important dates in the Church's calendar. An estimated 6,000 people attended the service inside the vast basilica, which was adorned with festive poinsettias for the occasion. Outside, in the rain-soaked St Peter's Square, a further 5,000 faithful watched the proceedings on large screens.
In a change from his predecessor, the elderly Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV decided to hold the mass at a later hour. He is also reviving a tradition from the time of Pope John Paul II by holding a second mass on Christmas Day itself, followed by his traditional blessing from the loggia.
Renewed Festivity in the Holy Land
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land, a much-needed boost of Christmas spirit was felt after two years of subdued celebrations due to the war in Gaza. Around 6,000 people flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square, where the giant Christmas tree had returned. The atmosphere was one of cautious joy, with families heralding the return of more traditional festivities.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Catholic leader in the region, kicked off the celebrations with the traditional procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. He called for "a Christmas full of light" and brought greetings from Gaza's small Christian community, where he had celebrated a pre-Christmas Mass the previous Sunday. Amid the devastation, he noted a strong desire to rebuild.
"We, all together, we decide to be the light, and the light of Bethlehem is the light of the world," he told the gathered crowds, which included both Christians and Muslims.
Community Spirit Amid Ongoing Challenges
The celebrations in Bethlehem featured symbolic gestures, including the placement of a statue of the baby Jesus in a cradle, and were accompanied by traditional music. Attendees expressed a mix of ecstasy and frustration. Fadi Zoughbi reported that his children were thrilled to see marching bands, Palestinian flags, and tartan-draped bagpipes filling the streets.
For others, like Irene Kirmiz who travelled from Ramallah, the joy was tempered by the practical difficulties of movement. Her family woke at 5 a.m. to attend the scout parade—a favourite tradition—and endured a three-hour wait at Israeli checkpoints for a journey that previously took just 40 minutes. This highlighted the ongoing travel restrictions that continue to complicate life for Palestinians.
The dual celebrations in Rome and Bethlehem underscored a global Church united in tradition yet facing modern challenges, as Pope Leo XIV begins to shape his own papal legacy during the festive season.
