Dec 26, 2025
3 min read
Lion
Pope remembers Palestine and Badalona for Christmas: From Gaza tents to improvised shelters for the homeless
"The Word has pitched its fragile tent among us. And how can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold, and of the many other displaced people and refugees on every continent, or of the shelters built by thousands of displaced people in our cities?"
In his Christmas sermon, Prevost affirmed "the weak body of the defenseless people, tested by many wars that are ongoing or over, which leave bruises and open wounds", as well as "the thoughts and lives of young people who are forced to take up arms, are weak, who, being in the front line, see the stupidity of what is being asked of the people, who kill the people and spread the lies."
A few words he said later in the traditional blessing 'Urbi et Orbi', referring to the "innocence" of the child born in Bethlehem and "those who have nothing, who have lost everything, like the people of Gaza; and those who suffer from hunger and poverty, like the Yemeni people; and those who fled their country in search of exile from the land and immigrants who cross to other places,those who have lost other jobs, like those who are going to other places, who have other jobs.people who are struggling to find work, and those who are in prison, often.
Take responsibility
"Sisters and brothers, this is the way of peace: responsibility," said Leo XIV as he gave his blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Lodge, the same corner where he first greeted God's holy people as pontiff almost nine months ago.Oration in Italian accompanied by blessings in ten languages."If each of us, instead of accusing others at all levels, first realized our mistakes and asked for God's forgiveness, and at the same time put ourselves in the shoes of those who suffer, and stand in solidarity with the weakest and most oppressed, then the world would change," he said, urging us to always be responsible.
From there, the Pope called on "peace-loving men and women to become peacekeepers" and "overcome all conflicts and obstacles."
Reconciliation that begins in the Holy Land." I want to send a deep and fatherly greeting to all Christians living in the Middle East, whom I wanted to meet recently on my first apostolic journey," Prevost began.
"And the Ukrainians have problems"
At the same time, the Pope pleaded for "justice, peace and stability for Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria" but also "for the entire European continent", asking God to "continue to inspire a community and a spirit of cooperation that is faithful to its Christian roots and history, supports and welcomes those in need".and the parties involved, with the support of the international community, find the courage to dialogue with honesty, directness and respect," prayed the Pope, who also pleaded for "peace and consolation for the victims of all wars."persecution and terrorism. In particular, Leo recalled the conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At the same time, "for the beloved people of Haiti, may all forms of violence in the country cease and may it move towards the path of peace and reconciliation."In the face of many challenges, space is given to dialogue for the common good and not for ideological and partisan exclusion," in clear reference to the crisis between the United States and Venezuela.
The Supreme Pontiff explained: "We ask for peace to illuminate Myanmar with the light of future reconciliation, to restore hope to the young generations, to guide all Burmese people on the path of peace and to join those who are without a home, security and faith in tomorrow."and for those "sudden and devastating natural disasters" in Asia and Southern Oceania.
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