Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his first Christmas Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve.

The pontiff is expected to speak out against war and violence and to remember the suffering of humanity.

The first American to occupy the Chair of St Peter has already made several statements calling for peace and reconciliation and remembering the victims of war worldwide.

This year’s Christmas Mass is scheduled for late in the evening, later than that of his predecessor Francis. Already in poor health, Francis had opened the Holy Year on Christmas Day 2024.