Reflections From Shem Center

What Pope Leo said in his first Christmas message

Reprinted from axios.com.

Pope Leo XIV, in his Christmas message, called for an end to global wars, highlighted humanitarian crises, and pleaded for sympathy for immigrants worldwide.

Why it matters: The Christmas Day message was a call for peace and the first for the U.S.-born Pope, who was elected in May.

  • He cited suffering in Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen, Africa, Haiti, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and more.

The big picture: Leo has often clashed with the Trump administration with his messages on embracing immigrants seeking a new life from countries all over the world.

What they’re saying: A key passage from Pope Leo’s remarks:

“Jesus took upon himself our fragility, identifying with each one of us: with those who have nothing left and have lost everything, like the inhabitants of Gaza; with those who are prey to hunger and poverty;

“Like the Yemeni people; with those who are fleeing their homeland to seek a future elsewhere, like the many refugees and migrants who cross the Mediterranean or traverse the American continent;

“With those who have lost their jobs and those who are looking for work, like so many young people who struggle to find employment; with those who are exploited, like many underpaid workers; with those in prison, who often live in inhumane conditions.”