The pope has condemned the human hunger for wealth and power at a Christmas Eve feast for the unborn and poor children, as Pope Francis in his homily

“This Christmas, too, as in the case of Jesus, a world ravenous for money, power and pleasure does not make room for the little ones, for the so many unborn, poor and forgotten children,” the pope said, reading his homily with a voice that sounded tired and almost hoarse. “I think above all of the children devoured by war, poverty and injustice.”

Visitors and pilgrims, who had come to the Basilica to attend the evening Mass, took their place in front of the rows of white- robed pontiffs.

“When men and women in our world hunger for wealth and power, they consume even their neighbors and brothers and sisters,” the pontiff said. “How many wars have we seen! And in how many places, even today, are human dignity and freedom treated with contempt!”

The weak and vulnerable are the main victims of human greed, Francis said in his homily.

Don’t allow fears, resignation or discouragement to overcome you. Jesus’ lying in a manger shows where “the true riches in life are to be found: not in money and power, but in relationships and persons.”

Source: https://www.npr.org/2022/12/25/1145466354/the-pope-has-condemned-the-human-hunger-for-wealth-and-power-at-a-christmas-eve-

The Basilica of the Virgin Mary (Saint Peter’s Basilica) in Rome — a time for peace, a celebration of the birth of Jesus, and the face of the child

There is danger the day’s meaning could be forgotten due to the so much consumerism that has packaged the mystery of Christmas.

The pope was pushed in his wheelchair by an aide as he walked down the basilica flanked by children and a statue of Baby Jesus. The statue then was placed in a manger in a creche scene in the basilica.

The Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica was changed two years ago so that faithful would have the time to leave before the curfew was imposed. The Vatican kept to the early start time, despite the fact that most restrictions have been lifted in Italy.

A choir sang during Saturday’s service. The pontiff’s vestments contrasted with clusters of potted red poinsettia plants near the altar.

On Sunday, tens of thousands of Romans, tourists and pilgrims were expected to crowd into St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Francis deliver an address on world issues and give his blessing. The speech, known in Latin as “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world), generally is an occasion to review crises including war, persecution and hunger, in many parts of the globe.

“It is with sadness that we acknowledge the fact that the icy winds of war still buffet us even after the Prince of Peace has arrived,” Francis said.

In recent months violence and confrontations have increased in the Middle East, bringing death and injury, which is why Francis mentioned the Holy Land. In addition, he prayed for a lasting truce in Yemen and for reconciliation in Iran and Myanmar.

He said that if we wanted to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus and of peace, we needed to contemplate the face of the child who was born for us. “And in that small and innocent face, let us see the faces of all those children who, everywhere in the world, long for peace.”

The War in Ukraine and the Remnants of the Faithful and Protected Church in the Light of the Pope: “It’s a Nightmare of the Lord”

Many millions of Ukrainians without electricity or heating on Sunday because of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure should be remembered by the faithful, as well as many more who have been forced to flee within their country because of the Russian invasion, according to Francis.

The pope asked that the Lord would awaken the minds of those with the power to stop the war, so they could put an end to it.

“On this day, as we sit around a well-spread table, may we not avert our gaze from Bethlehem, a town whose name means ‘house of bread,’ but think of all those, especially the children, who go hungry while huge amounts of food daily go to waste and resources are being spent on weapons.”

The war in Ukraine has made the situation worse, putting people at risk of famine, especially in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, Francis said.

Early on, the Black Sea ports of Ukraine were cut off from the rest of the world because of Russian sea mines and naval blockades. An agreement brokered by Turkey and the U.N.has sought to address the problem.