Pope Francis celebrates midnight mass in the Vatican
“And tonight our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is still rejected by the lost logic of war, with the thunder of weapons that, even today, prevents him from finding refuge in the world,” declared the Argentine Pope during the Mass meeting in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican.
1 of 1 Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on December 24, 2023. — Photo: Portal/Remo Casilli Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on December 24, 2023. — Photo: Portal/Remo Casilli
“[Jesus] He does not eliminate injustice from above with violence, but from below with love; It does not erupt with limitless force, but goes to our limits,” the Pope explained.
According to the Vatican, about 6,500 worshipers attended the Mass, and hundreds of others watched it on giant screens installed outside St. Peter's Square.
Francis did not specifically mention Israel or Gaza at midnight mass, but previously, during his traditional Sunday address, the pope had mentioned the conflict.
“We are close to our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of the war. Let's think of Palestine, Israel, Ukraine. Let us also think of those who suffer from poverty, hunger and slavery,” said Francisco. “May the God who took a human heart for himself, infuse humanity into the hearts of men.”
Palestinian Christians have decided to cancel most Christmas celebrations this year in Bethlehem, where neither the traditional large Christmas tree nor the lifesize nativity scene have been installed.
According to Christianity, Pope Francis also mentioned the context in which Jesus was born. Recalling that Christ was born during a census intended to strengthen the power of King David, he warned against “the pursuit of power and worldly power, fame and honor, all the success, results, figures and figures, of a world , measures.” performanceobsessed.”
However, Jesus came into the world humbly and took on human flesh, the pope said.
“Here we see not a God of wrath and punishment, but the God of mercy who becomes human and enters the world in weakness,” the pope said.
A pagan deity is associated with “power, worldly success and the idolatry of consumerism,” the pope said. “God, on the other hand, provides no magical necessity; He is not a trading god who promises everything at once. He doesn’t save us at the push of a button, but comes towards us to change our world from within.”
“Love changes history”
Francis also spoke about the search for God and urged believers going through difficult times to remember Jesus' sacrifices for humanity.
“Tonight, love changes history. Let us believe, Lord, in the power of your love, which is so different from the power of the world. “Like Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi, let us gather around you and worship you,” the pope said. “Let us rediscover worship, because worship is not a waste of time, but rather letting God dwell in our time.”