Father Francisco offers his first Christmas homily

Gregorio Borgia / APFather Francisco kissing a statue of the child Jesus as the Christmas Eve mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, celebrates it on December 24.By Elisha Fieldstadt, NBC NewsThe faithful flocked to St. Peter's Basilica for midnight on the eve of the first Christmas dad Francisco mass, in which the Pontiff preached once again the importance of humility, and acceptance qualities has continuously demonstrated in its first nine months as head of the Catholic Church."The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light," Francis began, citing Isaiah prophesied a book of the Bible that includes heralding the birth of Jesus.Father Francisco offered a traditional lesson of light and love during his first Christmas Eve midnight mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Martin Fletcher, NBC reports.Jesus brought light and grace to the world, and that grace "possible salvation for the whole human race," said Francis, choosing to highlight a writing of the biblical Book of Titus.While Jesus embodied light and love, said Francis, who hate to walk in the "dark"."" If we love God and our brothers and sisters, walk in the light. ""But if our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, selfishness, then drops the darkness within us and our around, said the Pontiff.Francis, who celebrated the mass with more than 300 Cardinals, bishops and priests, urged the people not be afraid of approaching God - echoing the words of the biblical angel give news of the birth of Jesus."Do not fear! Our father is patient, loves us, gives us Jesus to guide us on the road that leads to the promised land. Jesus is the light that illuminates the darkness. "He is our peace, he said.Francis has tried to change the image of the Catholic Church as judgmental, pompous, inflexible institution since his election in March.Of homosexual priests, I have been asked, "who am I to judge?" It has washed the feet of the prisoners, they refused to move to the papal Palace and celebrated his recent breakfast birthday with three homeless men. On Monday, made a Christmas visit to the Emeritus Pope Benedicto XVI and asked him to pray for him."(It) is to bring a new era in the Church, a church that is more focused on the poor and that is more austere, more lively, a church that cares about everyone," said Dolores Di Benedetto, who traveled from the homeland of the Pope, Argentina to hear him speak."I thought it would be great to hear the words of this Pope close and see how people feel overwhelmed by it," said Giacchino Sabello, one of the more than 10,000 people who filled St. Peter's Basilica or outside watching the ceremony on mega-screens.At the Christmas Eve mass, Francis reiterated the importance of the oppressed, with the shepherds who were the first to learn about the birth of Jesus as an example. "They were the first because they were among the last, the marginalized," he said."Bless you, Lord God most high, who fell to yourself for our sake. You is immense, and did you small; You're rich and you did poor; you are Almighty and you made vulnerable,"said Francis in thanks to God and also a clear indication of humility encourages his flock to emulate.Ettore Ferrari / EPAFather Francisco leads the midnight Christmas mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on December 24.In his speech to the administrators of the Vatican on Saturday, Francis said Holiness was a practice of "deep humility and fraternal charity in our relationships with our coworkers," urged the Cardinals, bishops and priests to avoid gossip.Before the mass, Francis inspired more humility, when personally a baby Jesus doll on a replica of a manger, a custom usually performed by a support.The 2 1/2 hour mass was the first of many services Francis will lead during the holidays. On Christmas day, will deliver a "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message from the balcony of the Basilica overlooking the square St. Peter.He also held mass on new year's Eve and new year and another on 6 January for the feast of the Epiphany or "' day of Kings," celebrating the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus.Reuters contributed to this report.Related: