• Pope Leo XIV held his first Christmas mass at St. Peter's Basilica.
• The pope criticized a "distorted economy" treating people as commodities.
• A call for a global truce on Christmas Day was emphasized by Leo.
• He plans to deliver the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Christmas Day.
• The mass was attended by thousands despite inclement weather.

Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Christmas Eve mass on Wednesday, greeting thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Square. The mass was characterized by Leo's message that Christmas is a feast of “faith, charity and hope,” during which he criticized a “distorted economy” that “leads us to treat human beings as mere merchandise.” Approximately 5,000 people attended despite rainy weather, illustrating the strong turnout at the Vatican, according to South China Morning Post, Le Monde, and Anadolu Agency.

Pope Leo, adopting a more discreet style compared to his charismatic predecessor, led the service at a later time than before, closer to midnight, suggesting a return to traditional practices. His homily refrained from direct references to current affairs, focusing instead on celebratory themes of Christmas, which marks one of the most solemn days in the Catholic calendar. This year’s service included symbolic gestures like placing a statue of the baby Jesus in a cradle. The mass was attended by high-ranking Church officials, diplomats, and around 6,000 attendees, as reported by South China Morning Post and Anadolu Agency.

Additionally, on the eve of Christmas Day, Leo appealed for a global truce, expressing “great sadness” over Russia's rejection of a ceasefire request in Ukraine. He urged all people of goodwill to observe a day of peace on this significant holiday. Following the Christmas Mass, Pope Leo intends to deliver the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing from the basilica, a tradition where popes address global issues and promote peace, according to Le Monde and Anadolu Agency.