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Pope Leo XIV opened 2026 on Thursday with a plea for peace, singling out particularly nations “bloodied by battle” and households wounded by violence.
Leo celebrated a New 12 months’s Day Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica after which delivered a particular noontime prayer from his studio overlooking the piazza, which was filled with pilgrims and vacationers on the brilliant, chilly day.
Leo famous that Jan. 1 marks the church’s World Day of Peace and used the event to problem a prayer.
“Allow us to all pray collectively for peace: first, amongst nations bloodied by battle and struggling, but additionally inside our properties, in households wounded by violence or ache,” he stated.
Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto by way of Getty Photos 
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 state of affairs in Gaza. He additionally urged Russia and Ukraine — in a Christmas blessing — to search out the “braveness” for direct talks to finish their conflict.
After a busy Christmas season, Leo could have a number 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 12 months, 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 the complete 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 now and again to hunt their counsel on how one 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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