What the Pope Said this Week

Pope Leo XIV elevates the Book of the Gospels during Mass on the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and World Peace Day in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Jan. 1, 2026. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Jason Scott’s weekly review of Pope Leo XIV’s audiences – 

Sunday, 28 December: Angelus on the Holy Family

On the Feast of the Holy Family, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the flight into Egypt, contrasting Herod’s fearful tyranny with the Holy Family’s faithful obedience:

“In Bethlehem there is light and joy as some shepherds have received the heavenly announcement and have glorified God before the manger. But none of this can penetrate the armoured defences of the royal palace, except as a distorted echo of a threat to be stifled with blind violence.”

The Pope urged Christian families to resist the world’s “myths of success at any cost” and to nurture the flame of domestic love through prayer, the sacraments, sincere dialogue, and fidelity. He also called for continued prayers for peace, especially for families suffering because of war.

Wednesday, 31 December: General Audience — Year’s End Reflection

In his final General Audience of 2025, Pope Leo invited the faithful to place the year’s joys and sorrows before the Lord, citing the Jubilee pilgrimages, the passing of Pope Francis, and ongoing wars:

“At its end, the Church invites us to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves to his Providence, and asking him to renew, in us and around us, in the coming days, the wonders of his grace and mercy.”

Reflecting on the Te Deum tradition, Pope Leo emphasised the importance of honest self-examination: evaluating our response to God’s gifts and seeking forgiveness for failing to treasure his inspirations.

Wednesday, 31 December: First Vespers and Te Deum

That evening, Pope Leo presided over First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, followed by the Te Deum. He gave thanks for the Jubilee as a “great sign of God’s plan of hope” and reflected on Mary’s role in revealing the mystery of a God born of a virgin:

“The world moves forward in this way, propelled by the hope of so many simple people — unknown to the world but not to God — who, despite everything, believe in a better tomorrow, because they know that the future is in the hands of the One who offers them the greatest hope.”

Pope Leo XIV prays before a statue of Our Lady of Hope and the Christ child during Mass for the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and World Peace Day in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 1, 2026. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Thursday, 1 January: Mass for Mary, Mother of God & World Day of Peace

On New Year’s Day, Pope Leo celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the 59th World Day of Peace. Reflecting on the ancient blessing from Numbers, he emphasised that each day can be a new beginning:

“For each of us, every day can be the beginning of a new life, thanks to God’s generous love, his mercy and the response of our freedom.”

Drawing on his World Day of Peace Message, the Pope presented God as “unarmed and disarming,” born naked and defenceless in a manger:

“The world is not saved by sharpening swords, nor by judging, oppressing or eliminating our brothers and sisters. Rather, it is saved by tirelessly striving to understand, forgive, liberate and welcome everyone, without calculation and without fear.”

Thursday, 1 January: Angelus — Building a Year of Peace

At the Angelus, before some 40,000 pilgrims, Pope Leo reflected on the Jubilee’s conclusion and the heart of Jesus that beats for all:

“The heart of Jesus beats for every man and woman; for those who are ready to welcome him, like the shepherds, and for those who do not want him, like Herod. His heart is not indifferent to those who have no heart for their neighbour.”

The Pope called for prayers for peace among nations and within families, and urged the faithful to “begin today to build a year of peace, disarming our hearts and refraining from all violence.” He invoked the blessing of Saint Francis on the eighth centenary of his death.

Take-Away Points :

• Christian families must resist worldly myths of success and nurture domestic love through prayer, sacraments, dialogue, and fidelity.
• At year’s end, we are called to honest self-examination: giving thanks for blessings and seeking forgiveness for failures.
• The future rests in God’s hands; hope is sustained by simple people who believe in a better tomorrow.
• Each day can be a new beginning, thanks to God’s generous love, mercy, and our free response.
• God reveals himself “unarmed and disarming” — the world is saved not by violence but by understanding, forgiving, and welcoming all.
• The heart of Jesus beats for everyone; let us disarm our hearts and build a year of peace.

Sources :

2025-12-28 – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2025/documents/20251228-angelus.html
2025-12-31 – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/audiences/2025/documents/20251231-udienza-generale.html
2026-01-01 (Mass) – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2026/documents/20260101-madre-di-dio.html
2026-01-01 (Angelus) – https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2026/documents/20260101-angelus.html