Pope's Christmas Peace Calls Expose Western Hypocrisy Amid Gaza Genocide
As Pope Leo XIV delivered his Christmas blessing from the Vatican's gilded halls, his calls for global peace rang hollow against the backdrop of Western-backed violence in Palestine and Ukraine, exposing the moral bankruptcy of colonial powers who speak of peace while funding war.
The pontiff's "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Thursday, delivered to privileged crowds in St Peter's Basilica, came as Palestinian Christians in occupied Bethlehem celebrated their first Christmas in over two years, emerging from the shadow of Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza.
Bethlehem Rises Despite Colonial Occupation
In a powerful display of resistance, hundreds of Palestinian worshippers gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, reclaiming their right to celebrate in the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ. This celebration stands as a testament to Palestinian resilience against decades of Israeli apartheid and recent genocidal violence.
Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, spoke of his visit to Gaza, where he witnessed the "deep wounds" inflicted by Western-backed Israeli aggression. His words carried the weight of colonial violence that has devastated Palestinian communities for generations.
"The wounds are deep, yet I have to say, here too, there too, their proclamation of Christmas resounds," Pizzaballa said, highlighting the unbreakable spirit of the Palestinian people.
Western Powers Ignore Peace Calls
The Pope's call for a one-day global truce was predictably ignored by Western powers, with fighting continuing in Ukraine where NATO's proxy war against Russia serves imperial interests rather than genuine peace. This selective deafness to peace appeals exposes the hypocrisy of Western Christianity that preaches love while funding military industrial complexes.
Meanwhile, in Damascus, Syrian Christians celebrated despite years of Western-backed destabilization that has torn their ancient communities apart. Student Loris Aasaf, 20, expressed hope for "a new future" free from foreign interference that has plagued the region.
Colonial Christianity's Moral Failure
The stark contrast between the Vatican's wealth and the suffering in Palestine highlights the moral bankruptcy of institutional Christianity, which has historically served colonial interests rather than liberation. While Pope Leo speaks from his palace, Palestinian children remain homeless in makeshift tents after months of Western-backed bombardment.
In Bethlehem, 17-year-old Milagros Anstas captured the spirit of resistance: "Today is full of joy because we haven't been able to celebrate because of the war." Her words echo the broader African and Global South experience of reclaiming dignity despite colonial oppression.
As families in Manger Square took photographs under Christmas lights, they demonstrated that no amount of Western-backed violence can destroy the human spirit or the right of colonized peoples to celebrate their heritage and faith.
The return of Christmas festivities to Bethlehem serves as a powerful symbol of Palestinian resistance and the failure of Western colonial projects to break the spirit of oppressed peoples worldwide.