Pope Leo XIV used his first Christmas address to the Roman Curia to call for a renewed focus on mission, unity and institutional reform, framing the celebration of Christ’s birth as a mandate for a more outward-looking and collaborative Church.
“The light of Christmas comes to meet us, inviting us to rediscover the newness that, from the humble grotto of Bethlehem, runs throughout human history,” the pope said, adding that the Incarnation reminds believers that “God has become flesh, has become our brother, and remains forever God-with-us.”
In his address, Pope Leo repeatedly returned to two themes he described as fundamental to the Church’s life: mission and communion. Drawing on Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the pontiff emphasized that the Church is “by her very nature, outward-looking, turned toward the world, missionary.”
“As a living sign of this divine love for humanity, the Church exists to invite and gather all people to the festive banquet that the Lord prepares for us,” he said.
The pope also stressed that Church structures, including the Roman Curia, must serve evangelization rather than hinder it. “Structures must not weigh down or slow the progress of the Gospel,” he said, calling instead for institutions that are “more mission-oriented.”
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Unlike many Christmas addresses of past pontiffs that focused heavily on doctrinal reflection or global political concerns, this year’s speech placed notable emphasis on internal Church life, workplace relationships and institutional culture. Pope Leo spoke candidly about frustrations within the Curia, acknowledging “dynamics – linked to the exercise of power, the desire to prevail, or the pursuit of personal interests – [that] are slow to change.”
“Is it possible to be friends in the Roman Curia?” he asked, urging personal conversion and relationships marked by trust, humility and mutual respect.
The pope also highlighted the importance of communion, warning against both excessive uniformity and deepening ideological divisions. “We can fall into the temptation of swinging between two opposite extremes,” he said, adding that the Church must instead seek unity amid diversity.
In language reflecting themes common to recent pontificates, Pope Leo called for a “synodal Church where all cooperate in the same mission, each according to his or her charism and role,” saying that communion is built through “concrete gestures and attitudes” rather than documents alone.
The address made multiple references to Church councils and modern papal teachings, including the Council of Nicaea, the Second Vatican Council and Evangelii Nuntiandi, underscoring continuity with recent decades of Catholic reflection on evangelization and engagement with the modern world.
While reaffirming Christ as the center of Christian life, the pope framed Christmas primarily as a reminder of God’s reconciling mission and the Church’s responsibility to reflect that mission through unity and service.
“Mission and communion are possible if we place Christ at the center,” he said. “He alone is the hope that does not disappoint.”
Pope Leo concluded by wishing Curia officials “a holy Christmas” and praying that the Lord would grant “his humility, his compassion and his love,” so that the Church might be a sign of peace in a world marked by division and conflict.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
