ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV welcomed the New Year on January 1, 2026, with a heartfelt appeal for peace, particularly targeting nations suffering from conflict and families affected by violence. The Pope celebrated a New Year’s Day Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica before offering a prayer from his studio overlooking a plaza filled with pilgrims and tourists amidst a crisp winter day.
Why It Matters
This annual New Year’s Day observance also marks the church’s World Day of Peace, making Pope Leo’s message particularly significant as it highlights urgent global concerns regarding violence and conflict. The call for healing within families and communities adds a personal dimension to the global message of peace.
Key Developments
- The Pope emphasized the need for peace globally, especially in war-torn areas and among families suffering from domestic violence.
- Following a busy Christmas season, the Pope will take a brief period of rest before the Epiphany celebrations on January 6, which will conclude the 2025 Holy Year.
- Pope Leo is set to convene a two-day meeting with the College of Cardinals to seek their counsel on church governance.
Full Report
Papal Plea for Global Peace
In his New Year’s message, Pope Leo XV reiterated the importance of collective prayer for peace, addressing both international strife and domestic turmoil. “Let us all pray together for peace: first, among nations bloodied by conflict and suffering, but also within our homes, in families wounded by violence or pain,” he stated during his midday prayer.
Upcoming Church Events
After the festive Christmas period, the Pope will observe a brief respite ahead of the church’s Epiphany celebration on January 6. This day also signifies the end of the 2025 Holy Year, which has seen millions of pilgrims visit Rome for the significant quarter-century event.
Reviving Cardinal Meetings
Pope Leo XIV plans to revive a traditional practice of convening the College of Cardinals, a gathering largely discontinued by his predecessor, Pope Francis. This meeting will include cardinals who participated in the election of Leo as well as those over 80 who remain part of the college but did not vote in the conclave. The Pope aims to solicit their guidance on managing the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
Context & Previous Events
January 1 is observed as the World Day of Peace within the Catholic Church, marking an occasion where the Pope traditionally calls for harmony and reconciliation globally. Leo’s first New Year’s observance as Pope comes on the heels of a significant Christmas season and sets the stage for ongoing discussions about church leadership and management.
