Presiding over the Christmas Mass during the Night in Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV recalled the bright star, "a spark newly lit and blazing with life" that illuminated the night sky, astonishing the world, as recounted in Luke's Gospel: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined” announcing “to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

“Into time and space – in our midst – comes the One without whom we would not exist. He who gives his life for us lives among us, illuminating the night with his light of salvation. There is no darkness that this star does not illumine, for by its light all humanity beholds the dawn of a new and eternal life.”

God living among us

In his homily,Pope Leo described how in the birth of Jessus "God gives us nothing less than his very self, in order to 'redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own'" And to find the Savior, we must look below to find God among us in the manger.

“The omnipotence of God shines forth in the powerlessness of a newborn; the eloquence of the eternal Word resounds in an infant’s first cry; the holiness of the Spirit gleams in that small body, freshly washed and wrapped in swaddling clothes.”

The child's need for care "becomes divine since the Son of the Father shares in history with all his brothers and sisters," the Pope added, and this divine light emanating from Jesus "helps us to recognize humanity in every new life." To help heal our blindness, the Pope said "the Lord chooses to reveal himself in each human being, who reflect his true image, according to a plan of love begun at the creation of the world."  And recalling words of Pope Benedict XVI, he noted that if we make room for the human person, then there is room for God. 

New life in the Child Jesus

The Pope encouraged us to be in awe at "the wisdom of Christmas" as God gives the world a new life, his own, in the Child Jesus, in "a love story that draws us in." 

“In response to the expectations of peoples, he sends a child to be a word of hope. In the face of the suffering of the poor, he sends one who is defenseless to be the strength to rise again. Before violence and oppression, he kindles a gentle light that illumines with salvation all the children of this world.”

God becomes like us, revealing the infinite dignity of every person," the Pope underscored, in contrast to a world where humanity can seek to become “god” in order to dominate others. He said "in the heart of Christ beats the bond of love that unites heaven and earth, Creator and creatures" and recognizing this reality is key to changing our history, letting God's light of mercy and love shine forth.

Joy flourishes, life changes

Recalling Pope Francis' words last year on this day after he opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica to mark the start of the Jubilee Year, Pope Leo affirmed how "the Nativity of Jesus rekindles in us the 'gift and task of bringing hope wherever hope has been lost,' because 'with him, joy flourishes; with him, life changes; with him, hope does not disappoint.'”

Sharing the joy of Christmas

In conclusion, the Pope encouraged everyone to experience and share "the joy of Christmas, which is a feast of faith, charity and hope." In faith we see how "God becomes man, born of the Virgin," while in charity we experience how "the gift of the redeeming Son is realized in fraternal self-giving."  And we celebrate the hope of Christmas, as "the Child Jesus kindles it within us, making us messengers of peace."