Pope Francis presides over Christmas eve Mass, at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, on Sunday. Gregorio Borgia/AP hide caption toggle caption Gregorio Borgia/AP Middle East crisis — explained Pope Francis mourns the rejection of peace and 'futile logic of war' this Christmas December 24, 2023 In his Christmas Mass address Sunday, he said the word of God is being drowned out by the violence in Gaza. Pope Francis has called for a ceasefire multiple times since the war started on Oct. 7.