Pope Leo XIV opens 2026 urging world to reject violence in powerful New Year's Day message

Pope Leo XIV opened nan caller twelvemonth Thursday pinch an entreaty to nan world for bid and urging group everyplace to statesman 2026 by rejecting unit and committing themselves to reconciliation.

Speaking during his first Angelus address of 2026, nan pope invited nan religious to "build a twelvemonth of peace, by disarming our hearts and refraining from each shape of violence."

Around 40,000 gathered successful St. Peter’s Square successful Rome to perceive nan pope’s New Year's Day connection connected nan Solemnity of Mary, nan Mother of God, which besides coincides pinch nan World Day of Peace.

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Pope Leo XIV delivered a bid connection to 40,000 gathered successful St. Peter's Square connected Thursday. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP via Getty Images))

At nan commencement of his address, Pope Leo extended his wishes for bid and each bully successful nan caller twelvemonth and offered a typical greeting to nan president of nan Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

Following nan Angelus prayer, nan pope said that Jan. 1 has been marked arsenic nan World Day of Peace since 1968, astatine nan inaugural of Pope St. Paul VI.

Reflecting connected nan meaning of nan day, Pope Leo referred to nan words that came to him aft his predetermination arsenic bishop of Rome: "Peace beryllium pinch you all."

"This peace," nan pope said, "is unarmed and disarming. It comes from God; it is simply a gift of his unconditional love, and it is entrusted to our responsibility."

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The pontiff said during his first Angelus of 2026 connected nan World Day of Peace. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP via Getty Images)

He besides emphasized that peace is not something imposed by force, but a gift that needs individual conversion and choices successful regular life.

Calling connected Christians and each group of goodwill, Pope Leo urged them to statesman immediately.

 "With Christ’s grace," he said, "let america commencement coming to build a twelvemonth of peace, disarming our hearts and refraining from each violence."

The pope acknowledged that efforts to build bid are already underway crossed nan world and expressed appreciation for individuals and organizations dedicated to ending conflict and promoting dialogue.

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Pope Leo XIV delivers World Day of Peace connection calling for world reconciliation successful 2026. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP via Getty Images)

In statement pinch nan peacekeeping theme, he highlighted a nationalist peace march held Dec. 31 successful Catania, Italy, and mentioned different organized by members of nan Community of Sant’Egidio, known for its world bid initiatives.

Pope Leo besides welcomed students and teachers from Richland, New Jersey, who were successful nan quadrate watching.

At nan extremity of nan address, nan pope said astir nan 800th day of nan decease of St. Francis of Assisi, a fig besides intimately associated pinch peace.

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He closed pinch nan saint’s biblical blessing: "The Lord bless you and support you; nan Lord make his look radiance upon you and beryllium gracious to you; nan Lord assistance his countenance upon you and give you peace."

Pope Leo ended by entrusting nan caller twelvemonth to Mary, nan Mother of God, asking that she guideline humanity connected its travel successful nan caller year.