‘Tonight our hearts are in Bethlehem’: Pope Francis calls for peace at Christmas Eve Mass – while decrying ‘useless war logic’ as Gaza conflict continues

Pope Francis today called for peace as he opened Christmas celebrations with a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica as the war between Israel and Hamas raged in the Gaza Strip.

“Tonight our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once again rejected by the futile logic of war, by the clash of arms that even today prevents him from finding a place in the world,” the pope told some 6,500 faithful. who attended the traditional service.

Francis’ speech never mentioned Israel or Gaza by name, but he made numerous references to violence and war, arguing that justice would not come from a “show of force.”

The 87-year-old pope said Jesus “does not eliminate injustice from above through a show of power, but from below, through a show of love.”

“He does not come on the scene with limitless power,” he said, speaking in Italian and with an official translation into seven languages.

Pope Francis (R) greets a child as he leads the Midnight Christmas Mass on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, December 24, 2023

Pope Francis (R) leads the Midnight Mass on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, December 24, 2023

During his weekly Angelus prayer earlier today, the Pope said that “we are close to our brothers and sisters who are suffering from war – we think of Palestine, of Israel, of Ukraine.”

On Christmas Day, the Pope will lead the traditional ‘Urbi and Orbi’ prayer at 11am GMT, normally mentioning conflicts around the world.

The pope spoke hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to fight deeper into the Palestinian enclave of Gaza after his troops suffered one of the worst days of losses of their ground war.

In the city where Jesus was born, Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Ma’ayah said: “Bethlehem celebrates Christmas with sadness and grief because of what is happening in Gaza and throughout the West Bank, in all Palestinian territories.”

Pope Francis (L) leads the Midnight Mass on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, December 24, 2023

Cardinals embrace during the celebration of Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, December 24, 2023

Children arrive at St. Peter’s Basilica for Christmas Eve Mass led by Pope Francis on December 24, 2023 in Vatican City

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, December 24, 2023

Pope Francis leads Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24, 2023 in Vatican City

Pope Francis (C) leads the Midnight Mass on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, December 24, 2023

Pope Francis leads Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Sunday, December 24, 2023

Pope Francis delivers his homily during Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24, 2023 in Vatican City

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, December 24, 2023

A Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 killed about 1,140 people, most of them civilians.

The Palestinian terrorists have also kidnapped about 250 people, of whom Israel says 129 remain in Gaza.

Israel retaliated with a sustained bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza, killing 20,424 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest figures from the territory’s Hamas-led health ministry.

Francis has made numerous calls for a ceasefire in the conflict and called for the release of all hostages.

Palestinians wait to collect food at a donation point in a refugee camp in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 24, 2023

Palestinians rescue their belongings after an Israeli attack in Rafah in southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, December. 24, 2023