VATICAN CITY, Dec. 25 (UPI) — Pope Francis used the homily of his Christmas Midnight Mass at the Vatican on Friday to criticize materialistic society and a culture of indifference.
Speaking during the mass, an annual event broadcast worldwide from St. Peter’s Basilica, he noted that “In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this child [Jesus] calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential … amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer.”
The homily was in keeping with Francis’ personal style, stressing mercy, simplicity and forgiveness. He made no mention of refugees, a common theme in his recent speeches. In September he called on every European country to provide sanctuary to refugee families streaming into Europe from the Middle East and North Africa.
The mass came weeks after the start of the Catholic church’s extraordinary jubilee — a holy year called for by Pope Francis encouraging Catholics across the world to embark on pilgrimages. The “year of mercy” is a specially designated time in which special masses throughout the world, and papal audiences in the Vatican, are held.
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