Overview
- Pope Leone XIV presided at his first Christmas Night Mass at the central Altar of the Confession in St. Peter's Basilica.
- Nearly 250 cardinals, bishops and priests concelebrated as the Sistine Chapel Choir sang Noel during the entrance.
- Before the liturgy he unveiled the infant Jesus in the nativity scene and received flowers from children, including those from Ukraine.
- He stepped into St. Peter's Square in the rain to thank the faithful and offered a brief blessing invoking peace, God's love and families.
- The Vatican press office reported about 6,000 worshippers inside the basilica and roughly 5,000 in the square.