Pope Leo used his Christmas Eve sermon to call on Christians worldwide to recognize the divine in every person, emphasizing that refusing help to the poor and strangers is equivalent to turning away from God himself. Speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the pope highlighted the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn as a timeless lesson on compassion and inclusion.
“On earth, there is no room for God if there is no room for the human person. To refuse one is to refuse the other,” Leo told the congregation of about 6,000, underscoring the spiritual significance of caring for humanity in all its forms. The pope, the first U.S.-born pontiff, was elected in May and is celebrating his first Christmas after succeeding the late Pope Francis.
Leo’s sermon reflected his long-standing focus on immigrants and the marginalized, topics that have defined his early papacy. Quoting the late Pope Benedict XVI, he lamented that the world too often neglects children, the poor, and foreigners. “While a distorted economy leads us to treat human beings as mere merchandise, God becomes like us, revealing the infinite dignity of every person,” he said. “Where there is room for the human person, there is room for God. Even a stable can become more sacred than a temple.”
Outside the basilica, about 5,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, braving heavy rain with umbrellas and ponchos to watch the service on large screens. Pope Leo personally greeted the crowd before Mass, praising their dedication: “I admire and respect and thank you for your courage and your wanting to be here this evening, even in this weather.”
The celebrations continue on Christmas Day, when the pope will lead Mass and deliver the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” message, offering a blessing to the city of Rome and the world. With his first Christmas sermon, Leo has set a clear tone for his papacy, linking faith and social responsibility, and calling on Catholics to see God in every human life.
