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Pope Leo XIV opened the new year on Thursday by appealing to the world for peace and urging people everywhere to begin the year 2026 by rejecting violence and committing to reconciliation.
Speaking during his first Angelus address in 2026, the pope invited the faithful to “build a year of peace, by emptying our hearts and avoiding all forms of violence.”
About 40,000 gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Rome to hear the Pope’s New Year’s Day message about Mary, the Mother of God, which also coincides with the World Day of Peace.
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Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of peace to the 40,000 gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP via Getty Images)
At the beginning of his address, Pope Leo conveyed his wishes for peace and all the best in the new year and greeted the president of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.
After the Angelus prayer, the pope said Jan. 1 has been marked as World Peace Day since 1968, by the initiative of Pope St. Paul VI.
Reflecting on the meaning of the day, Pope Leo referred to the words that came to him after his election as bishop of Rome: “Peace be with you all.
“This peace,” said the pope, “is not armed and does not withdraw. It comes from God; it is a gift of his unconditional love, and entrusted to our responsibility.”
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The pontiff spoke at his first Angelus for 2026 on the World Day of Peace. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP via Getty Images)
He also emphasized that peace is not something forced, but a gift that requires personal transformation and choice in everyday life.
Calling Christians and all interested people, Pope Leo urged them to start immediately.
“With the grace of Christ,” he said, “let’s start today to build a year of peace, dissolve our hearts and avoid 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 conflicts and promoting dialogue.
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Pope Leo XIV presents a message for the World Day of Peace calling for world reconciliation in 2026. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP via Getty Images)
In line with the theme of maintaining peace, he highlighted the national peace march held on December 31 in Catania, Italy, and mentioned another organized by members of the Community of Sant’Egidio, known for its peace initiatives worldwide.
Pope Leo also welcomed students and teachers from Richland, New Jersey, who were in the square watching.
At the end of the speech, the pope spoke about the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, who was also closely associated with peace.
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He closed with the blessing of the holy man from the Bible: “The Lord bless you and protect you; may Jehovah shine his face upon you and be kind to you; may Jehovah lift up his face upon you and give you peace.”
Pope Leo concludes by entrusting the new year to Mary, the Mother of God, asking her to guide humanity in its journey in the new year.
