VATICAN — Pope Leo XIV condemned the “senselessness” of war and the “open wounds” it leaves behind, as he delivered his first Christmas message on Thursday after a year marked by conflict but also hopes for peace in Gaza and Ukraine. In Bethlehem, the Christian community celebrated its first festive Christmas in more than two years as the occupied West Bank city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza. Pope Leo, who was elected in May after the death of his predecessor Pope Francis, spoke of Gaza during a mass in St Peter’s basilica, saying: “How… can we […]... Keep on reading: Pope Leo condemns ‘open wounds’ of war in first Christmas homily