• Pope Leo highlights the dire conditions for Palestinians in Gaza during his first Christmas sermon.
• The pontiff emphasizes the humanitarian crisis faced by displaced persons due to ongoing conflict and harsh winter conditions.
• He advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, addressing the need for global dialogue and peace.
• The pope also calls for an end to various global conflicts, urging international cooperation for peace.

Pope Leo raised grave concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza during his first Christmas sermon, condemning the "rubble and open wounds" left by ongoing and past wars. He expressed that “fragile is the flesh of defenseless populations,” highlighting how many in Gaza face extreme hardships, particularly in makeshift tents exposed to harsh weather conditions. “How can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind, and cold?” he asked during the service in St. Peter's Basilica, emphasizing the plight of nearly 1.3 million residents seeking shelter assistance, according to Al Jazeera, CBS News, Reuters, and AA.

The pontiff's remarks come after significant loss of life in Gaza, where an estimated 71,000 Palestinians, many women and children, have perished amidst the conflict. Winter storms are exacerbating the living conditions of those displaced, who endure cold and dampness in overcrowded makeshift shelters, reports indicate Al Jazeera, CBS News, Reuters, and AA.

During his sermon, Pope Leo not only mourned the situation in Gaza but also extended his concerns globally, citing the enduring challenges faced by migrants and those displaced worldwide. He urged for a humane approach, stating, “Jesus wants us to touch human misery,” encouraging a deeper awareness of others' suffering and a collective response to humanitarian crises Al Jazeera, CBS News, Reuters, and AA.

In his “Urbi et Orbi” Christmas message, Pope Leo called for peace and dialogue in several conflict zones, advocating for the restoration of justice and stability in areas like Lebanon, Palestine, and Ukraine, among others. He stressed the urgent need for the international community to engage in sincere dialogue to resolve these conflicts, stating, “May the clamour of weapons cease” Al Jazeera, CBS News, Reuters, and AA.