At the Angelus prayer on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Leo XIV renewed his call for peace, urging that it extend not only to nations torn by war but also into homes and families who have been hurt by violence and pain.

Greeting the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square Jan. 1, the Pope reflected on the passage of time and the meaning of the new year, pointing out that calendars and resolutions are empty without a genuine desire for peace.

“While the rhythm of passing months repeats itself, the Lord invites us to renew our times by finally ushering in an era of peace and friendship among all peoples,” he said. “Without this desire for the good, there would be no point in turning the pages of the calendar and filling our diaries.”

Recalling the Jubilee Year now drawing to a close, the Pontiff emphasized that hope for a renewed world begins with conversion of heart.

“The Jubilee, which is about to end, has taught us how to cultivate hope for a new world. We do this by converting our hearts to God, so as to transform wrongs into forgiveness, pain into consolation, and resolutions of virtue into good works,” he said.

He added that through this transformation, God enters history and redeems it: “In this way, God himself dwells in history and saves it from oblivion, giving the world our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He is the Only Begotten Son who becomes our brother, illuminating the consciences of people of good will, so that we can build the future as a welcoming home for every man and woman who comes into the world.”

Turning to the mystery of Christmas and to Mary, the Pope invited the faithful to contemplate the heart of Christ: “In this regard, the feast of Christmas today directs our gaze towards Mary, who was the first to experience Christ’s beating heart. In the silence of her virginal womb, the Word of life presents himself as a heartbeat of grace.”

Pope Leo stressed that Christ’s heart beats for every person, without exclusion: “The heart of Jesus, therefore, beats for every man and woman; for those who are ready to welcome him, like the shepherds, and for those who do not want him, like Herod.”

“His heart,” the Pontiff  continued, “is not indifferent to those who have no heart for their neighbor: it beats for the righteous, so that they may persevere in their dedication, as well as for the unrighteous, so that they may change their lives and find peace.”

Highlighting the dignity of human life, Pope Leo invited the faithful to adore the mystery of God made flesh.

“The Savior comes into the world by being born of a woman. Let us pause to adore this event, which shines forth in Mary Most Holy and is reflected in every unborn child, revealing the divine image imprinted in our humanity,” he said. 

Concluding, the Pope issued a direct appeal for peace on this 59th World Day of Peace (observed Jan. 1), extending it beyond the international sphere to the domestic one.

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“On this World Day, let us all pray together for peace: first, among nations bloodied by conflict and suffering, but also within our homes, in families wounded by violence or pain,” he said. “Certain that Christ, our hope, is the sun of justice that never sets, let us confidently implore the intercession of Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church.” 

St. Francis Blessing

After the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo noted that 2026 marks the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi and extended to each person St. Francis’ blessing, taken from Sacred Scripture: 

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”