In this year 2025, which draws to a close with the Christmas spirit illuminating our hearts, the Catholic Church has experienced moments of profound transformation, global challenges, and renewed hope. As a reader of Exaudi, you know that this website has been a constant beacon, reporting with rigor and devotion on the events that mark the pulse of faith. From the departure of a beloved pontiff to the election of a new leader, including jubilee celebrations and calls to evangelization, 2025 has been a vibrant chapter in the history of the Church. In these pages, we will explore the highlights, always with a constructive approach that invites reflection and personal commitment. Exaudi, with its mission to unite Christians and spread Gospel values, has been there, day after day, to accompany us on this spiritual journey.

The Change of Pope: From the Farewell of Francis to the Arrival of Leo XIV

One of the most moving and significant events of 2025 was the papal transition, a moment that united millions of the faithful in prayer and hope. Pope Francis, the Argentinian pontiff who for more than a decade guided the Church with his emphasis on mercy, the peripheries, and care for creation, died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His passing was caused by complications from bilateral pneumonia that led to a stroke. This event, though painful, was received with serenity by the Catholic community, who remembered his words on human frailty and trust in divine Providence.

Immediately, the Church entered the sede vacante period, marked by ancient rituals such as the verification of death by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell and the destruction of the Ring of the Fisherman, a symbol of papal power. Exaudi covered these moments with sensitivity, offering detailed analyses of Francis’s legacy: his encyclical  Laudato Si’  on caring for the planet, his efforts toward synodality, and his closeness to the poor. Articles such as “Francis’s Legacy: Mercy in Action” highlighted how his pontificate transformed the Church into one “on the move,” always attentive to the marginalized.

On May 7, 2025, the conclave began in the Sistine Chapel, a historic event with 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80, the largest number in modern history. This conclave, described as “unprecedented” for its geographical and cultural diversity, reflected the globalization of the Church promoted by Francis. After deliberations guided by the Holy Spirit, on May 9, “Habemus Papam” was announced. The elected pope was Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American by birth, who adopted the name Leo XIV in honor of Saint Leo the Great and the tradition of reformist popes.

Leo XIV, the 267th successor of Peter, brings with him a wealth of experience: as bishop in Peru and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, he has emphasized ecclesial communion and mission. In his first words from the balcony of St. Peter’s, he called for a “missionary and united Church in a divided world.” Exaudi broadcast this moment live, with commentary highlighting its potential to strengthen ties with Latin America and the English-speaking world. Since then, Leo XIV has appointed new archbishops, such as Ronald Hicks in New York on December 18, and has promoted catechesis on hope, as in his Jubilee audience on December 20, where he presented Mary as a model of spiritual growth.

This change has not only been an institutional transition, but also an invitation to renew our faith. As a reader of Exaudi, you have followed these events closely, thanks to coverage that combines facts with theological reflections, reminding us that each pope is an instrument of the Spirit to guide the Barque of Peter.

The Most Important News: Jubilee, Beatifications, Trips and Calls for Peace

2025 has been marked by the Jubilee Year, a celebration of grace and renewal that began in late 2024 and extended throughout the year. Under the theme of hope and mercy, the Jubilee has included events such as the installation of inspirational sculptures in Rome by artist Timothy Schmalz, and the 2025 Catholic Music Awards at the Vatican, which brought together artists from around the world to celebrate faith through art. Exaudi has reported on these moments as opportunities for unity, highlighting how the Jubilee invites pilgrims to cross the Holy Doors in search of indulgences and personal conversion.

Another milestone was the beatification of 12 new blesseds on December 18: 11 Spanish martyrs and one Argentinian layman, reminding us of the heroic witness of faith in times of persecution. Leo XIV presided over the ceremony, emphasizing that these blesseds are “beacons for our age of division.” Furthermore, the Pope commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea on November 23, calling for a rediscovery of Christian roots to foster unity among denominations.

In a turbulent world, with conflicts in regions like Haiti (where Exaudi interviewed priests about hope amid the crisis in October), the Pope has insisted on a “peace that is both unarmed and disarming.” His address to the Roman Curia on December 22 urged greater missionary zeal, while in his Angelus address on December 21, he reflected on the Lord as King of Glory. Themes such as poverty—with articles like “The Poor Are Our Lord” in October—and prejudice against the marginalized, analyzed by Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, have been central.

Family evangelization has been a prominent theme in Christmas reflections: from St. Joseph as a model of faith to films that encourage reflection on Christmas values. Exaudi has also covered constructive controversies, such as the Marian title “Mother of the Faithful People” in November, clarifying doctrines without creating divisions. Other key news items include the Petrocchi Commission’s report on the female diaconate in December, which temporarily rejected the proposal, and Leo XIV’s emphasis on the rediscovery of Christian roots on December 11.

Papal Journeys: Messages of Unity and Peace in the World

The pontificate of Leo XIV has left its missionary mark with his first international apostolic journey from November 27 to December 2, 2025, to  Turkey and Lebanon , including a pilgrimage to Iznik (ancient Nicaea) for the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. This trip, the new Pope’s first outside Italy, included visits to Ankara, Istanbul, and Beirut, where he emphasized fraternity, Christian unity, interreligious dialogue, and peace in the Middle East. In Istanbul, he dedicated a moving moment to the elderly at a nursing home; in Lebanon, he called for “building peace with the fragrance of Christ” and visited symbolic sites such as Harissa and prisons. Exaudi extensively covered this historic milestone, highlighting its impact in a context of regional conflicts. Furthermore, in May, Leo XIV held a symbolic installation ceremony in Rome, visiting the four papal basilicas, including Santa Maria Maggiore, where he prayed at the tomb of Pope Francis.

Live broadcasts and social media coverage

Exaudi has been a privileged channel for following papal events in real time, with live broadcasts of general audiences, the Angelus, and key moments such as the conclave and the election of Leo XIV. Through its social media accounts (especially Facebook, but also Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify), it has offered live coverage of the Pope’s speeches, including Masses and Jubilee audiences. This digital connection has allowed thousands of the faithful to participate virtually, strengthening ecclesial communion throughout the world.

These events are not mere news; they are calls to action. 2025 has shown us a living Church, facing global crises with hope, and Exaudi has been the bridge for you, the reader, to feel part of this universal communion.

Exaudi: Always at the Service of the Church, the Pope and Evangelization

At the heart of this article, dear Exaudi reader, is you: the faithful seeking truthful information to nourish your faith. Since its founding, Exaudi has been a Catholic portal dedicated to reporting on the Church, the Pope, and evangelization, with an unwavering commitment to Christian unity and social doctrine. Through news, in-depth analysis, and live broadcasts of papal events, Exaudi seeks to strengthen the bonds between believers and contribute to the evangelizing mission throughout the world.

His role is not merely to report; it is to educate and inspire. As described in his publication, Exaudi works to “bring Christian truth and values ​​to every corner of the planet,” guided by the Holy Spirit. In 2025, amidst the papal transition and the travels of Leo XIV, Exaudi was there: covering the conclave with respect, analyzing Francis’s legacy, and presenting Leo XIV as an “undeserved gift to Latin America and the world,” in the words of experts like Rodrigo Guerra in June. Articles such as “Leo XIV: The Pope of Unity” in September and “Leo XIV: The Disarming Pope” in June highlight his missionary style, recalling his experience in Peru and his roots in Chicago.

Historically, Exaudi aligns with the Church’s mission: to evangelize not as conquest, but as a free gift, promoting dialogue and peace. In times of transition, like this year, he has reminded us that faith is a shared journey, inviting us to be protagonists of the New Evangelization. Dear reader, in the coming year of 2026, let us continue to trust in Exaudi to illuminate our pilgrimage, always with hope and charity. May this summary of 2025 inspire your personal commitment to the Church, remembering that, as Leo XIV said, hope generates life amidst divisions.

Thanks to everyone who makes Exaudi possible

This year, 2025, would not have been possible without the generous and dedicated efforts of all the contributors who have published, written, and contributed to Exaudi. From the main editors to the guest columnists, translators, editors, and the technical teams who keep the website running, each one has put their talent at the service of truth and evangelization.

A special and heartfelt thank you to:

• Rodrigo Guerra López, Mario J. Paredes  and  Enrique Soros  for their profound analyses and thoughts.
• Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi  for his theological and social reflections.
• Isabel Orellana  for her saintly diary that presents us with role models and hope for life.
• Rosa Montenegro, José Félix Merladet, María José Calvo, Monsignor Enrique Díaz, Jorge Miró, Javier Ferrer García, Miguel Morales Gabriel, Agustín Ortega, Juan Francisco Miguel, Ricardo Grzona, Albert Cortina, José María Montiu de Nuix, Mar Dorrio, Marta Luquero, Patricia Jiménez Ramírez, José Miguel Ponce, Jaime Millás, Esther Nuñez, Ignacio Amorós, Ángel Espinosa de los Monteros, Amparo Aygües, Hugo Saldaña Estrada, Rafael Domingo, Nacho Calderón Castro, Joaquín Eguiluz, José Antonio Varela, Julio Tudela, Cristina Castillo, Antoine Suárez, Javier Ramos, Diego Blazquez, Jesús Ortíz, Agustín Ortega, Pedro Paricio, Juan José Muñoz, Cristian Álvarez, José María Contreras, Andrés Mauricio Cano, Karl-María de Molina, Luis Francisco Eguiguren,  and other regular columnists who have enriched the pages with their reflections on faith, family, business and social justice.
• CARF Foundation  and  HM Television  for their interviews and testimonies.
• To the  Bioethics Observatory, Academy of Catholic Leaders, Aid to the Church in Need, Laetare, La Machi, Vatican, dioceses and parishes  for their constant support and contributions.
• Francisco Bobadilla, Alejandro Fontana, Alfons Gea and EduFamilia, Tomás Melendo, Wlodzimierz Redzioch  for their unique contributions at key moments.
• A special remembrance to a collaborator who has left us and was always close, very close to Exaudi,  Edistio Cámere , rest in peace.
• To all the  writers  for their multiple daily coverages and analyses of papal events.
• The editorial  and  technical team   that, day after day, has ensured that the news and live broadcasts arrive on time and accurately.
• To all the  donors , who with their help contribute to this madness of love in the service of God that is Evangelization.
• Thank you to all our  readers  for encouraging us to do our work every day. We are always available at [email protected]

Thank you all for your quiet and passionate dedication. Without your support and closeness, Exaudi would not be the same. May the Lord bless you abundantly for this service to the Church and the world. Let us continue forward together on the path of faith!