Pope Leo held the first Christmas mass of his pontificate on Wednesday, greeting thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square before the service.
During the mass, Leo said Christmas was a feast of “faith, charity and hope” and criticised a “distorted economy” that “leads us to treat human beings as mere merchandise”.
Before, he spoke in front of St Peter’s Basilica to offer Christmas wishes and thank those who had come to follow the mass on outdoor screens despite rainy weather.
Advertisement
“St Peter’s is very large but unfortunately it is not large enough to receive all of you,” he told the crowd of around 5,000 people.
The US pope has adopted a more discreet and moderate style than that of his charismatic predecessor Francis, who died on April 21.
Advertisement
The mass was attended by high-ranking Church figures, diplomats and around 6,000 faithful.