In his first Angelus address of the new year, Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of hope and peace to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the 59th World Day of Peace. The Pontiff, the first American pope in history, invited Christians and all people of goodwill to “renew our time” by inaugurating “an era of peace and friendship among all peoples.”

“Dear brothers and sisters, Happy New Year!” the Holy Father began, recalling that “the rhythm of the months repeats itself” but that the Lord invites us to fill the calendar with a “desire for good.” Reflecting on the Jubilee that concludes these days, Leo XIV emphasized how this Holy Year has taught us “to cultivate the hope of a new world: turning our hearts to God, so that we may transform offenses into forgiveness, sorrow into consolation, and resolutions of virtue into good works.”

The Pope focused his meditation on the figure of Mary, “the first to feel the heart of Christ beating” in her virginal womb, where “the Word of life is proclaimed as the heartbeat of grace.” God, he affirmed, “has always known Mary’s heart and ours,” and in becoming man in Jesus, He reveals His own: a heart that “beats for every man and woman,” for those who welcome Him like the shepherds and for those who reject Him like Herod. “His heart is not indifferent to those who have no heart for their neighbor: it beats for the righteous, that they may persevere in their commitment; and for the unrighteous, that they may change their lives and find peace.”

Leo XIV invited us to “pause and adore this event” of the birth of Jesus from a woman, which “shines forth in Mary Most Holy and is reflected in every newborn, revealing the divine image imprinted on our bodies.” On this World Day of Peace, he exhorted us to pray “all together for peace; above all among nations bloodied by conflict and misery, but also in our homes, in families wounded by violence and pain.” With the certainty that “Christ, our hope, is the sun of justice that never sets,” he entrusted this plea to the intercession of Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church.

After the Angelus prayer, the Pope warmly greeted those present, expressing “my best wishes for peace and all good things.” He thanked the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, for his good wishes and recalled that since 1968, at the initiative of Saint Paul VI, this Day has been celebrated on January 1st. In his Message for this occasion, Leo XIV reiterated his initial greeting as Pontiff: “Peace be with you all!”, describing it as a “disarmed and disarming” peace that comes from God and that must be entrusted to our responsibility.

“Dear friends, with the grace of Christ, let us begin today to build a year of peace, disarming our hearts and abstaining from all violence,” he urged. The Pope expressed his appreciation for global initiatives for peace, mentioning in particular the national march in Catania and the one organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio. He also greeted specific groups, such as students from New Jersey and pilgrims present.

At the start of a year commemorating the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the Pope imparted a biblical blessing: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Finally, he entrusted the new year to “the Holy Mother of God” and wished “everyone a very happy New Year.”

This Angelus marks the full beginning of Leo XIV’s pontificate in 2026, following the conclusion of the Jubilee of Hope initiated by his predecessor. His words resonate with their emphasis on an evangelical, non-violent peace that disarms hearts and builds universal fraternity.

Full text of the Angelus: