&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "'How can we not think of Gaza?': Pope Leo calls out Palestinian suffering in Gaza in his first Christmas sermon")
Pope Leo, in his first Christmas sermon as pontiff, lashed out at the conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, making an unusually forthright appeal during a service that is typically solemn and spiritual as Christians worldwide mark the birth of Jesus Christ.
The first American pope said the story of Jesus being born in a stable symbolised God having “pitched his fragile tent” among humanity. “How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?” he quested, ALJAZZERA reported.
Leo frequently lamented the conditions for Palestinians
Leo is celebrating his first Christmas after he was elected as pope in May by the world’s cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis. He has a quieter, more diplomatic style than his predecessor and usually avoids making any political references during his sermons.
After becoming the new pope, he frequently lamented the conditions for Palestinians in Gaza multiple times and said that the only solution to the decades-long war between Israel and Palestine must consider a Palestinian state.
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire in October following two years of heavy bombardment and military action in Gaza. However, humanitarian agencies warn that aid reaching the devastated enclave remains insufficient, with nearly the entire population rendered homeless after repeated displacement caused by Israeli strikes.
Trending Stories
)
3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before
)
JP Nadda, Jitendra Singh meet Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital: Report
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters with most runs in India vs Zimbabwe T20Is
)
Before you buy your Odyssey ticket: The difference between IMAX 70mm and digital explained
)
Japan is selling a refrigerator to cool the human body for Rs 9 lakh. It is already a hit in Tokyo
)
YouTube cracks down on AI slop, but didn't it help create the monster? Your channel will be demonetised if...
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
Donald Trump heading for a tough midterm elections as approval ratings fall
)
Iran strikes Amazon data infrastructure in Bahrain, power, water desalination plants in Kuwait
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Eyes before weapons': How the S-400's radar network works
)
Burnham sticks with Starmer's Iran policy, keeps UK bases open to US: Report
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament: The best XI that ruled football’s biggest stage
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
Preity Zinta backs Sonam Wangchuk and CJP student protests, urges activist to end fast
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
)
‘He's the architect of the genocide against Palestinians’: Mamdani repeats Netanyahu will be arrested if he visits US
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
World's top 7 most liveable cities in 2026 — Check where India and Pakistan stand
)
'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation
)
'We acted immediately...': Indian PM Modi breaks silence on paper leaks as NEET protest, calls for Education Minister's resignation grows
)
‘Centre had no interest in having a debate’: LoP Rahul Gandhi demands resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, Amit Shah
)
FBI arrests alleged $547mn medicare fraud fugitive after 3-year global manhunt
Leo in Thursday’s service with thousands in St Peter’s Basilica also highlighted the conditions for the homeless globally and the destruction caused by the war. “Fragile is the flesh of defenceless populations, tried by so many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds,” said the pope.
“Fragile are the minds and lives of young people forced to take up arms, who on the front lines feel the senselessness of what is asked of them and the falsehoods that fill the pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths,” he added.
