Thousands watched on as Pope Leo led his first Christmas mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Leo XIV held the first Christmas mass of his pontificate on Wednesday, greeting thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square before the service. Many watched the service on screens from St. Peter's Square, holding umbrellas and wearing ponchos under a hard rain in Rome. 'St Peter's is very large but unfortunately it is not large enough to receive all of you,' he told the crowd of around 5,000 people. On Thursday, the pope will celebrate a Christmas Day Mass and deliver a twice-yearly 'Urbi et Orbi' (to the city and the world) message and blessing.

Source: Daily Mail December 26, 2025 00:17 UTC