Sunday, November 23, 2025 (or the Sunday corresponding to the last Sunday of the liturgical year), the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This feast, instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 through the encyclical Quas Primas and elevated to its current rank by Saint Paul VI, closes the liturgical year, reminding us that the entire history of salvation culminates in Christ, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end of all creation (cf. Rev 1:8; 21:6).

Origin and profound meaning of the festival

In a world marked by growing secularism, exacerbated nationalism, and the practical denial of God, Pius XI wished to proclaim forcefully that Jesus Christ is King, not only of individual hearts, but of families, societies, and nations. As he himself wrote: “The plague of our time is so-called secularism, with its errors and its criminal attempts […] It is necessary that Christ reign” (Quas Primas, 18 and 24). By instituting this solemnity, the Pope was responding to the cry of bishops and faithful who, in the Holy Year of 1925, were asking for a public recognition of the universal Lordship of Christ.

The chosen date —originally the last Sunday of October, and since the Second Vatican Council the last Sunday of the liturgical year— is profoundly symbolic: it crowns the annual cycle of the mysteries of Christ’s life and prepares us for Advent, announcing his glorious return as King and Judge (cf. Preface of the Mass of Christ the King).

What kind of King is Jesus?

The Gospels show us this with paradoxical clarity: before Pilate, Jesus declares: “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to bear witness to the truth” (Jn 18:37). But he immediately adds: “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn 18:36). His throne is not of gold, but the Cross; his crown is not of jewels, but of thorns; his power is not imposed by force, but by love that gives itself to the extreme.

Benedict XVI explained it beautifully: “The kingship of Christ is a revelation and an action of that of God the Father, who governs all things with love and justice […] The power of Love that knows how to bring good out of evil, to soften a hardened heart, to bring peace to the most violent conflict and to illuminate hope in the densest darkness” (Angelus, November 23, 2008).

Pope Francis, in various homilies, has insisted that Jesus reigns from the Cross: “His kingship is paradoxical: his throne is the cross; his crown is of thorns; he has no scepter, but they put a reed in his hand; he does not wear sumptuous robes, but is stripped of his tunic; he does not wear dazzling rings on his fingers, but his hands are pierced by nails” (Homily, November 20, 2022).

This Kingdom is already present in the Church —“kingdom of truth and life, kingdom of holiness and grace, kingdom of justice, love and peace” (Preface)— but it will be fully consummated at the end of time, when Christ hands over the Kingdom to the Father (cf. 1 Cor 15:24; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 668-682).

A positive and hopeful celebration

Far from being a triumphalist celebration, Christ the King fills us with profound joy: we have a King who loves us so much that he gave his life for us! As Saint Paul says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Mt 28:18). His victory over sin and death is our victory. In the midst of the world’s crises, this solemnity reminds us that evil does not have the last word, but rather crucified and risen Love.

Ten Commandments for Living Today’s Solemnity of Christ the King

1. Attending Sunday Mass with devotion, receiving Christ the King in the Eucharist, the living throne of his royal presence.
2. Renewing personal and family consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as Pius XI asked, recognizing that only He should reign in our homes.
3. Take a sincere look at your conscience: In what areas of my life (work, finances, relationships, free time) am I still not letting Christ reign fully?
4. Perform a concrete work of mercy, remembering that “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40): in this way we recognize Christ the King in the poor and suffering.
5. Pray for rulers and nations, that they may recognize the social sovereignty of Christ and order laws to the common good and the dignity of the person.
6. To promote peace and reconciliation in the family, work and social environment, being instruments of the Kingdom of justice, love and peace.
7. Study or meditate on some magisterial text about Christ the King (Quas Primas, Catechism 668-682 or some papal homily) to deepen your understanding of this truth.
8. Place an image of Christ the King in a visible place in the home and pray before it the prayer of “Long live Christ the King!” with renewed fervor.
9. Committing ourselves to evangelization: bringing to others the joyful message that only in Christ is there true salvation and fullness of life.
10. Living with eschatological hope: joyfully awaiting the glorious return of the King, working today to extend his Kingdom of grace to the ends of the earth.

May the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Universe and Mother of the King, help us to open wide the doors of our hearts and our world to Him. Long live Christ the King!