Pope Francis delivered a Christmas message Wednesday calling on the faithful to serve the less fortunate around the world.
In his weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square the pope told them “not to place ourselves above others, but rather lower ourselves, place ourselves at the service of the poor, make ourselves small and poor with them.”
Francis will be celebrating his first Christmas since his elevation to pontiff.
He quoted the Bible, Matthew 25:35-46, in his appeal to help the poor, “Whoever has nourished, welcomed, visited, loved one of the least and poorest of men, will have done this to the Son of God.”
“On the contrary, whoever has rejected, forgotten, ignored one of the least and poorest of men, will have done this to God himself,” he continued.
Francis added, “Let us act that our brothers and sisters never feel alone!”
“Our presence is solidarity by their side expresses not only through the words but also through the eloquence of deeds that God is close to everyone.”