Christmas | Pope Leo XIV Leads His First Christmas Eve Mass As Pope In Vatican City Pope Leo XIV arrived at the St. Peter's Basilica for his first Christmas Eve Mass on Wednesday. Hundreds of Catholic faithful were queuing hours ahead despite heavy rain forcing them to shelter under umbrellas.The pope was expected to offer a prayer for peace in his speech at the Mass. Leo had already urged world leaders to commit to a 24-hour truce across conflict zones on Christmas Day