Rome CNN —
Pope Francis asked people to “do something good” this Christmas during his homily at the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday.
“God does not want appearances, but concreteness,” said the Pope.
“We mustn’t let this Christmas go by without doing something good.”
Earlier this month, Francis had asked people to spend less on Christmas gifts and instead donate money to people in Ukraine.
The Vatican has set up a donation page and connected with the Italian crowdfunding site to provide thermal clothing for winter in Ukraine.
Italian crowdfunding website www.eppela.com has already raised over 188,000 euros ($200,000). The Vatican said it is collecting donations through early January.
Francis, who remained seated for most of Mass due to an ongoing knee problem, also spoke of children “devoured by war, poverty and injustice” who are victims of a “world starving for money, power and pleasure” he said.
The Pope encouraged people to feel closer to God, regardless of their life situation.
“God was born in a manger so you could be born again right where you thought you hit rock bottom,” he said.