Pope Leo XIV says " let us ask the Lord to renew within us the gift of peace and brotherhood. Let us pray for those who suffer because of war and violence" FULL TEXT

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
TO THE DONORS OF THE NATIVITY SCENE IN THE PAUL VI
HALL AND OF THE TREE AND NATIVITY SCENE IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE
in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Monday, December 15, 2025
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In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Peace be with you!
Dear brothers and sisters, hermanos y hermanas ,

I am pleased to welcome all of you, gathered here for the official presentation of the Nativity scene and the Tree that decorate St. Peter's Square, as well as the Nativity placed in this Hall.

I greet the delegation from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, where the nativity scene originates: Bishop Giuseppe Giudice, the civil authorities, and the various ecclesiastical groups. I am grateful for this artistic work, which recalls typical elements of your region, such as the Baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Nocera Superiore, the Helvius fountain of Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino, and the characteristic courtyards of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area. These are places inhabited by Saint Alfonso Maria de' Liguori, the Servants of God Don Enrico Smaldone, and Alfonso Russo. I thank the companies involved, the craftsmen, and all who conceived the project and collaborated on its realization, aiming to unite art and spirituality in a setting that recounts the faith and cultural roots of your land.

For pilgrims from around the world who gather in St. Peter's Square, the nativity scene will remind us that God draws close to humanity, becomes one of us, entering our history with the smallness of a child. Indeed, in the poverty of the stable in Bethlehem, we contemplate a mystery of humility and love. Before every nativity scene, even those set up in our homes, we relive that event and rediscover the need to seek moments of silence and prayer in our lives, to rediscover ourselves and enter into communion with God.

The Virgin Mary is the model of adoring silence. Unlike the shepherds who, returning from Bethlehem, glorified God and recounted what they had seen and heard, the Mother of Jesus treasured everything in her heart (see Luke 2:19). Her silence is not simply silence: it is wonder and adoration.

Next to the Nativity scene, there is a Norway spruce from the forests of the municipalities of Lagundo and Ultimo, in the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. I greet the delegation from that beautiful land: Bishop Ivo Muser, the mayors, the other authorities, and the various ecclesiastical and civil groups. The tree, with its evergreen branches, is a sign of life and evokes the hope that endures even in the cold of winter. The lights that adorn it symbolize Christ, the light of the world, who came to dispel the darkness of sin and illuminate our path. In addition to the large fir, other smaller trees destined for offices, public places, and various spaces in the Vatican City come from those same areas of Alto Adige.

The Nativity scene, which will remain in this Hall throughout the Christmas season, comes from Costa Rica and is entitled Nacimiento Gaudium. Each of the twenty-eight thousand colored ribbons decorating the scene represents a life saved from abortion thanks to prayer and the support provided by Catholic organizations to many mothers in need. I thank the Costa Rican artist who, along with the Christmas message of peace, also wanted to launch an appeal for the protection of life from conception. I greet the Costa Rican delegation, in particular Mrs. Signe Zeicate, First Lady of the Republic, with her daughter, and the Costa Rican Ambassador to the Holy See.

Dear brothers and sisters, the Nativity Scene and the Christmas Tree are signs of faith and hope; as we contemplate them in our homes, parishes, and public squares, let us ask the Lord to renew within us the gift of peace and brotherhood. Let us pray for those who suffer because of war and violence; in particular, today I wish to entrust to the Lord the victims of yesterday's terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Sydney. Enough of these forms of anti-Semitic violence! We must eliminate hatred from our hearts.

Let us allow the tenderness of the Child Jesus to illuminate our lives. Let us allow God's love, like the branches of an evergreen tree, to remain fervent within us. I renew my gratitude to all of you, as well as to the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services of the Governorate for their generous commitment. As I invoke the maternal protection of Mary Most Holy upon you and your families, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.