"Pope Leo XIV celebrated Christmas Night Mass at St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, marking his first Christmas since being elected to the papacy. According to the Vatican, around 6,000 worshippers attended the Mass inside the basilica, while an estimated 5,000 gathered in St Peter's Square despite heavy rain. Footage shows choirs, clergy and devotees inside the basilica ahead of the Pope's arrival. The Mass officially began when Pope Leo uncovered the statue of the baby Jesus, before carrying it to the nativity scene, where he paused in prayer. In his homily, the Pope told believers that welcoming the infant Jesus today also means respecting and protecting every human life, including migrants and the most vulnerable. The celebration forms part of the Vatican's Christmas programme, which includes the Christmas Eve vigil Mass, Christmas morning Mass and the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing delivered on Christmas Day. This year's vigil Mass was held at 10 p.m. local time, returning to a later schedule after being brought forward in recent years due to the declining health of Pope Francis. Cardinal Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV in May, on the second day of conclave. He is the first North American to be elected Pope of the Catholic Church in its history. "