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Pope Leo XIV opened the new year on Thursday by calling for peace and urging people around the world to begin 2026 by rejecting violence and committing to reconciliation.
Speaking during his first Angelus speech In 2026, the pope invited the faithful to “build a year of peace by disarming our hearts and refraining from all forms of violence.”
About 40,000 people gathered St. Peter’s Square in Rome to hear the Pope’s New Year’s message on the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, which also coincides with World Peace Day.
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Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of peace to the 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images)
At the beginning of his speech, Pope Leo presented his wishes for peace and goodness for the new year and addressed a special greeting to the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.
After the Angelus prayer, the Pope declared that January 1 had been the World Day of Peace since 1968, at the initiative of Pope Saint Paul VI.
Reflecting on the meaning of this day, Pope Leo recalled the words that came to his mind after his election as bishop of Rome: “Peace be with you all.”
“This peace,” the pope said, “is disarming and disarming. It comes from God; it is a gift of his unconditional love and it is entrusted to our responsibility.”
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The pontiff spoke at his first Angelus of 2026, on the occasion of World Peace Day. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images)
He also emphasized that peace is not something imposed by force, but a gift that requires personal conversion and choices in daily life.
Calling on Christians and all people of good will, Pope Leo urged them to begin immediately.
“With the grace of Christ“, he said, “let us begin today to build a year of peace, by disarming our hearts and refraining from all violence.”
The pope acknowledged that efforts to build peace are already underway around the world and expressed appreciation for individuals and organizations dedicated to ending conflict and promoting dialogue.
Pope Leo XIV delivers message for World Day of Peace calling for global reconciliation in 2026. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images)
In keeping with the theme of peacekeeping, he highlighted a march for peace held on December 31 in Catania, Italy, and mentioned another organized by members of the Community of Sant’Egidio, known for its international peace initiatives.
Pope Leo also welcomed students and teachers of Richland, New Jerseywho were watching on the square.
At the end of the speech, the pope spoke of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, a figure also closely associated with peace.
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He ended with the saint’s biblical blessing: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord makes his face shine on you and grants you his grace; the Lord lifts up his face on you and give you peace“.
Pope Leo ended by entrusting the new year to Mary, the Mother of God, asking her to guide humanity on its path in the new year.
