Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Mass at Vatican Basilica

(Vatican Radio) "Today, the Son of God is born, and everything changes. The Saviour of the world comes to partake of our human nature; no longer are we alone and forsaken.” Those were the words of Pope Francis in his homily for Christmas Mass “During the Night,” celebrated in St Peter’s Basilica.

There is no room for doubt or indifference, the Pope said. “All sadness has been banished, for the Child Jesus brings true comfort to every heart.” And so, the Pope said, “when we hear tell of the birth of Christ, let us be silent and let the Child speak. Let us take His words to heart in rapt contemplation of His face. If we take Him in our arms and let ourselves be embraced by Him, He will bring us unending peace of heart.”

This, the Holy Father said, is because the Christ Child teaches us what is truly essential in life: “In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this Child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential. In a world which all too often is merciless to the sinner and lenient to the sin, we need to cultivate a strong sense of justice, to discern and to do God’s will. Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer.”

Pope Francis concluded his homily with the prayer that we might gaze upon the Baby Jesus, the Son of God “with eyes full of amazement and wonder”; and that in His presence, our hearts “might burst forth in prayer: ‘Show us, Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation’.”

You can find the full text of the Pope's homily for Christmas Mass "during the Night" can be found here.