"ROME -- Pope Leo XIV opened 2026 on Thursday with a plea for peace, singling out in particular countries "bloodied by conflict" and families wounded by violence. Leo celebrated a New Year's Day Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and then delivered a special noontime prayer from his studio overlooking the piazza, which was full of pilgrims and tourists on the bright, chilly day. Leo noted that Jan. 1 marks the church's World Day of Peace and used the occasion to issue a prayer."
"On that day, too, he officially closes out the 2025 Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome. Immediately thereafter, he is to preside over a two-day meeting of the entire College of Cardinals, the princes of the church who elected him pope, as well as those who are over age 80 and didn't participate in the conclave but still remain part of the college."
Pope Leo XIV began 2026 with a New Year's Day Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and a noontime prayer from his studio overlooking the piazza. He designated Jan. 1 as the church's World Day of Peace and called for prayer for nations "bloodied by conflict" and for families wounded by violence or pain. He will rest briefly before celebrating Epiphany on Jan. 6 and formally closing the 2025 Holy Year that drew millions of pilgrims. He will then preside over a two-day College of Cardinals meeting to seek counsel on governing the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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