VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) – Pope Francis, celebrating his first Christmas as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, yesterday urged people to shun pride and selfishness and open up their hearts to God and their fellow man.
Francis, who last March became the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, celebrated a solemn Christmas Eve Mass for some 10,000 people in a packed St. Peter’s Basilica as hundreds of others watched on mega-screens in the square outside.
The great bells of the basilica, the same that rang to announce his election on March 13, sounded when the Sistine Chapel Choir intoned the Gloria, a prayer which starts with the words the Bible says angels sang on the night Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Francis delivered a short homily that was as simple as his white vestments: Man can choose between darkness and light.
“… On the part of the people there are times of both light and darkness, fidelity and infidelity, obedience, and rebellion; times of being a pilgrim people and times of being a people adrift,” he said, speaking in Italian.
“In our personal history too, there are both bright and dark moments, lights and shadows. If we love God and our brothers and sisters, we walk in the light; but if our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us and around us,” he said.
Francis, who concelebrated the Mass with more than 300 cardinals, bishops and priests, urged people not to be afraid to reach out to God.
“Do not be afraid! Our Father is patient, he loves us, he gives us Jesus to guide us on the way which leads to the promised land. Jesus is the light who brightens the darkness. He is our peace,” he said.
A NEW ERA
Pilgrims came from all over the world for the Mass and some said it was because they felt Francis had brought a breath of fresh air to the Church.
