VATICAN CITY — Commencing the new year with a profound spiritual message, Pope Leo XIV issued a powerful call for global peace during his January 1st address from the Apostolic Palace. Speaking to a packed St. Peter’s Square filled with pilgrims and tourists, the Pontiff specifically referenced nations “bloodied by conflict” and families suffering from domestic violence in his annual peace proclamation.
The Pope’s address coincided with the Catholic Church’s World Day of Peace observance, marking the first major event of 2026. Following a traditional New Year’s Day Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo XIV delivered his noon prayer from his studio overlooking the square, using the platform to emphasize dual dimensions of peace—both international and domestic.
After a brief period of rest following the intensive Christmas season, the Pontiff will resume his duties with the Epiphany celebration on January 6th. This event will also serve as the official conclusion to the 2025 Holy Year, the quarter-century tradition that attracted millions of religious travelers to Rome throughout the past year.
In a significant administrative development, Pope Leo XIV will convene a comprehensive two-day gathering of the College of Cardinals immediately following the Holy Year closure. This assembly will include both cardinal-electors and those over age 80, representing a revival of the traditional consultative practice largely discontinued during Pope Francis’ papacy. The summit aims to collectively address governance strategies for the worldwide Catholic community of 1.4 billion faithful.