Why it matters:
The Pope’s message, delivered just weeks after his election, highlights the dire situation in Gaza and calls for urgent international intervention. It marks his first major stance on the Israeli aggressions, emphasizing a moral imperative to end the suffering of innocent civilians.
The big picture:
Pope Leo XIV's message focuses heavily on the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, where millions are caught in the ongoing Israeli genocide. His call for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid brings attention to the broader need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis, framing it within the Christian message of peace during the Christmas season.
What he's saying:
“Tonight, as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace in Bethlehem, our hearts are heavy with the cries of mothers and children in Gaza who have no safe place, no food, no medicine, and no hope,” Pope Leo XIV said, his voice emotional. He condemned the current conditions, describing them as a “humanitarian abyss that shames humanity,” and called for immediate and unconditional action to ease the suffering.
Key points:
- The Pope demands an immediate ceasefire and full humanitarian access to Gaza.
- He calls for the release of hostages and an end to the violence.
- He emphasizes the suffering of Palestinian mothers and children, calling their plight “intolerable.”
Go deeper:
Pope Leo XIV’s first Christmas sermon underscores a moral and humanitarian call for an end to the violence and suffering in Gaza. The Pope’s plea for peace comes amid escalating tensions in the region and offers a fresh appeal for the international community to take action.
M.Majdi - Hossein Vaez
