Pope Leo XIV says that denying help to the poor is rejecting God, in his 1st Midnight Mass

Pope Leo XIV celebrates midnight mass for the first time Pope Leo Leão, who made caring for immigrants and the poor central themes of his early pontificate, said that the birth of Jesus showed the presence of God in each person, as he led the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics to Christmas during a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. “On Earth, there is no place for God if there is no place for the human person. To refuse one is to refuse the other,” said the pope during the solemn celebration, attended by around 6,000 people inside the basilica. Leo, the first pope born in the United States, celebrates his first Christmas after being elected in May by the world’s cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis (1936-2025). Pope Leo “While a distorted economy leads us to treat human beings as mere merchandise, God becomes like us, revealing the infinite dignity of each person,” said Leão. “Where there is a place for the human person, there is a place for God,” he said. “Even a stable can become more sacred than a temple.” Outside the basilica, around 5,000 people watched the celebration on big screens in St. Peter’s Square, holding umbrellas and wearing raincoats in heavy rain in Rome. Leão, 70 years old, came out to greet them before the mass began. “I admire, respect and thank you for your courage and your willingness to be here tonight,” he said. “Even in this weather.” On Thursday (25), the Pope will celebrate Christmas Day Mass and deliver the traditional message and blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world), held twice a year.

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