Thu Dec 25 11:21:52 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
In his first Christmas sermon as Pope, Leo addressed global conflicts, particularly the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. He questioned how people could ignore their suffering, drawing a parallel between Jesus’s humble birth and the current conditions of those living in tents in Gaza. He lamented the destruction caused by wars around the world and called for peace in numerous conflict zones during his “Urbi et Orbi” message. Meanwhile, in Bethlehem, the Christian community celebrated Christmas with renewed festivities after a somber period, with a mass at the Church of the Nativity and a parade, marking a return to tradition. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa also spoke of the suffering in Gaza but highlighted the resilience and hope for a new beginning among the people there.
News Article:
Pope Leo Uses Christmas Message to Decry Global Conflicts, Focuses on Gaza
Vatican City – In his inaugural Christmas sermon, Pope Leo delivered a powerful message calling for an end to global conflicts, with a particular emphasis on the dire situation in Gaza. Addressing a packed St. Peter’s Basilica, the pontiff questioned the world’s indifference to the suffering of Palestinians, drawing parallels between the humble birth of Jesus and the harsh realities faced by those living in makeshift tents in the conflict-stricken region.
“How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind, and cold?” he asked, marking a departure from his typically diplomatic approach.
Pope Leo, who succeeded Pope Francis in May, has previously expressed concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for a two-state solution. He lamented the “rubble and open wounds” left by ongoing wars and the senselessness faced by young people forced to fight on the front lines.
During his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” address, the Pope specifically mentioned conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Mali, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia, pleading for an end to violence and a pursuit of peace.
Meanwhile, in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, the Christian community celebrated Christmas with renewed vigor after two years of somber observance. Festivities included parades, music, and a midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who recently visited Gaza, acknowledged the ongoing suffering but praised the resilience and hope for a fresh start among the people. He said, “The wounds are deep, yet I have to say, here too, there too, their proclamation of Christmas resounds,”
The return of Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem offers a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing global turmoil, while Pope Leo’s message serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for peace and compassion in a world plagued by conflict.
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