The joyous festival of Christmas, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, was observed across the world on December 25, 2025, with deep devotion and festive spirit. Churches globally were adorned with lights and nativity scenes, while midnight masses saw large gatherings. The day was marked by community events spreading cheer and heartfelt prayers for global peace and harmony.
Global Leaders Emphasise Compassion and Peace
In a significant address from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Christmas Day "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message. Speaking from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the Pontiff called on the faithful to move beyond indifference towards those suffering. He specifically highlighted the plight of people in conflict zones like Gaza, the impoverished in nations such as Yemen, and migrants risking perilous journeys across the Mediterranean and the American continent for a better future.
Pope Leo XIV stressed that every individual can contribute to peace through acts of humility and responsibility. His message also remembered those struggling economically, including the unemployed, job-seeking youth, underpaid workers, and prison inmates.
Monarch's Message and Worldwide Celebrations
Echoing similar sentiments, Britain's King Charles III used his Christmas Day message to advocate for "compassion and reconciliation" during a time of worldwide division. The monarch, who attended a service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham with Queen Camilla, expressed encouragement at the "shared longing for peace" among people of different faiths.
Celebrations took diverse forms across the globe:
- In India, devotees at Don Bosco Church in Matunga, Mumbai, received blessings from the Baby Jesus idol.
- In London, traditions continued with the Serpentine Swimming Club's Peter Pan Cup race in Hyde Park, and the Christmas Day Eucharist at St. Paul's Cathedral was conducted by the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, The Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally.
- In Southeast Asia, masses were held at Bethany Church in Surabaya, while department stores in Bangkok glittered with festive decorations.
- In New York, streets lit up with beautiful decor, even as a winter storm threatened post-Christmas travel.
- In Eastern Europe, the day was observed against a backdrop of conflict. In Ukraine's Donetsk region, a military chaplain sang carols for soldiers, while in Kharkiv, couples embraced near decorated trams. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, wishing citizens, called for peace and condemned Russia's massive attack on Christmas Eve, stating the joy of not hearing "drones and missiles flying overhead."
- In Russia, festive fairs in St. Petersburg featured Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), with celebrations unfolding even near statues of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin.
- In Venezuela, the festive mood in Caracas was juxtaposed with displays of military hardware, as the US increased actions against alleged drug-trafficking boats. The migration crisis was highlighted, with reports indicating over 14,000 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, had returned to South America since US President Donald Trump's moves to limit migration.
A Day of Reflection and Hope
Christmas 2025 served as a powerful global moment of unity and reflection. From the spiritual appeals of world leaders to the local traditions in parishes and public squares, the core messages of hope, compassion, and a collective desire for an end to strife resonated strongly. The celebrations underscored the festival's enduring spirit, bringing light and a call for harmony to a world facing numerous challenges.
