Pope Leo XIV opened 2026 on Thursday with a plea for peace, singling out specifically nations “bloodied by battle” and households wounded by violence.
Leo celebrated a New Yr’s Day Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica after which delivered a particular noontime prayer from his studio overlooking the piazza, which was stuffed with pilgrims and vacationers on the intense, chilly day.
Leo famous that Jan. 1 marks the church’s World Day of Peace and used the event to difficulty a prayer.
“Allow us to all pray collectively for peace: first, amongst nations bloodied by battle and struggling, but in addition inside our houses, in households wounded by violence or ache,” he stated.
Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto through Getty Photographs
In Leo’s first Christmas homily final week, he condemned the “rubble and open wounds” left behind by wars and singled out the dire humanitarian scenario in Gaza. He additionally urged Russia and Ukraine — in a Christmas blessing — to seek out the “braveness” for direct talks to finish their warfare.
After a busy Christmas season, Leo could have a couple of days of relaxation earlier than he celebrates the church’s Epiphany vacation on Jan. 6. On that day too, he formally closes out the 2025 Holy Yr, the once-every-quarter-century celebration that introduced tens of millions of pilgrims to Rome.
Instantly thereafter, he’s to preside over a two-day assembly of all the School of Cardinals, the princes of the church who elected him pope, in addition to those that are over age 80 and did not take part within the conclave however nonetheless stay a part of the faculty. Leo is resurrecting a convention largely eschewed by Pope Francis to convene cardinals from time to time to hunt their counsel on how you can govern the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV grew to become the primary American pontiff in church historical past when he was chosen by his fellow cardinals in Might at a Vatican conclave.
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