Pope Francis urges world to be open to God at Christmas Eve mass
Posted December 24, 2014 8:32 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Pope Francis ushered the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas on Wednesday, urging them to allow God to enter their lives to help combat darkness and corruption.
The 78-year-old Argentine pope led a solemn Christmas Eve Mass for thousands of people in St. Peter’s Basilica. It is the second Christmas season for the pope, who was elected last year as the first non-European pontiff in 1,300 years.
He has brought an air of simplicity to the Vatican, refusing many of the trappings of office, and has made plain his determination to reform the Vatican and bring the Church’s hierarchy closer to rank-and-file Catholics.
A solemn looking Pope made his way along the aisle and up to the altar doing his best to ignore the flashes of cameras and cellphones.
Francis uncovered the statue of the Baby Jesus which he would later place in the crib of the waiting nativity scene.
Ten children representing different parts of the globe carried wreaths of flowers to be placed around the Baby Jesus.
In his homily, Francis, wearing white vestments, said Christmas is a time to remember that God’s message of peace “is stronger than darkness and corruption”
“On this holy night we contemplate the Nativity scene: there ‘the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light’. People who were unassuming, open to receiving the gift of God, were the ones who saw this light,” said Francis.
This light was not seen, however, by the arrogant, the proud, by those who made laws according to their own personal measures, who were closed off to others,” the Pope added.
After giving the congregation his blessing, the Pope walked down the aisle carrying the Baby Jesus to place in the waiting crib.
