Pope Leo thanked the crowds gathered at the Vatican as he presided over Christmas Mass. It's the first time since 1994 a pope is celebrating a Mass on Christmas Day.
Pope Leo's message this holiday season is about peace and hope.
His predecessors did not celebrate Christmas Day Mass, with Pope Leo is reintroducing the tradition.
Saint Peter's Square is displaying a number of nativity scenes from around the world, including from Pope Leo's hometown of Chicago and of Peru where he served as a missionary for many years.
During his Christmas message, the Pope talked about the unrest in the Middle East and a push for peace.
He also shared a Christmas greeting in Multiple languages to a cheering crowd of 26,000 people.
"Merry Christmas, may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts and in your families," Pope Leo said.
Here at home, parishioners at Holy Name Cathedral shared their pride in having a Chicago-grown Pope during one the holiest times of the year.
"I'm so happy and elated that we finally have an American pope from Chicago, so I'm so excited," Holy Name Cathedral parishioner Victoria Villareal. "For us Chicagoans, Christians, Catholics. This is a momentous year."
The last major event of the 2025 jubilee will be the closing of Rome's holy doors.
The last holy door to be closed will at Saint Peter's Basilica on January 6th, by Pope Leo.
Cardinal Blase Cupich celebrated Midnight Mass at Holy Name Cathedral.
During his homily, he emphasized the importance of looking out for each other, not just at home, but around the world.
"We do care about the rest of humanity around the world especially as we see so many just trying to eke out an existence day after day, that we should have a heart that really is broken when we see the suffering of others," Cardinal Cupich said.
The cardinal also reminded parishioners to reflect on how their faith has made a difference in their lives.