Pope Leo XIV Spotlights Gaza Suffering in First Christmas Sermon as US-Jordan Forces Strike ISIS in Syria

By Clarion Newschannel Reporter | December 26, 2025

In a poignant first Christmas Day sermon, Pope Leo XIV drew global attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, likening the vulnerability of the infant Jesus to the plight of displaced Palestinians enduring harsh winter conditions. The US-born pontiff, elected in May to succeed Pope Francis, made an unusually direct reference during the solemn Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, asking rhetorically: “How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?”
Pope Leo emphasized the fragility of “defenseless populations” affected by wars, stating that Jesus “took upon himself our fragility, identifying with each one of us: with those who have nothing left and have lost everything, like the inhabitants of Gaza.” He reiterated his longstanding view that a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires a two-state solution. Despite an October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ending two years of intense fighting sparked by the October 2023 Hamas attacks, humanitarian organizations report insufficient aid reaching Gaza, where nearly the entire 2 million population remains displaced and homeless amid recent heavy rains and flooding.
The pope’s remarks come as Christians in Bethlehem marked a more festive Christmas than in recent years, emerging from the shadow of the war, though celebrations remain subdued due to regional tensions.
Meanwhile, in a separate development underscoring persistent security threats in the Middle East, the United States, with support from Jordan, conducted large-scale airstrikes on Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria last week. Dubbed “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” the operation on December 19 targeted over 70 sites, including command centers, weapons depots, training facilities, and drone operations across central and eastern Syria, using fighter jets, attack helicopters, artillery, and more than 100 precision munitions.
The strikes were in direct retaliation for a December 13 attack in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Monitoring groups reported at least five ISIS operatives killed, including a drone cell leader. Jordanian forces participated to prevent ISIS from using Syrian territory to threaten regional stability, amid concerns over the group’s attempts to regroup. President Donald Trump described the operation as “very successful,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called it a “declaration of vengeance” to protect American personnel.
These events highlight the fragile state of affairs in the Middle East, from humanitarian challenges in Gaza to the enduring threat of jihadist resurgence in Syria, as international leaders call for dialogue and sustained efforts to achieve lasting peace.