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Pope Leo: Jubilee Year ‘a powerful sign of a new world’
In a homily delivered at the final liturgy of the year, Pope Leo reflects on “the mystery of Christ, which points to a plan for human history” - a plan that stands in stark contrast to “armed strategies, concealed beneath hypocritical rhetoric.”
Jubilee 2025: A look back at the year
2025 was marked by the death of Pope Francis, the conclave, the election of Pope Leo XIV, and the beginning of a pontificate shaped by journeys, meetings, and calls for peace. All of this unfolds in the midst of the Jubilee Year of Hope, which is set to conclude on January 6. Let us take a look back at this Holy Year.
The Popes and the new year: a time for thanksgiving and hope
As 2026 approaches, Vatican News revisits some reflections by the Popes on this transitional period between the end of 2025 and the arrival of the new year.
Cardinal Koch: Pope Benedict XVI taught us to seek face of God
On the third anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s death, Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, celebrates Mass in the Vatican Grottoes and recalls the German Pope’s desire for Christians to seek the face of God throughout our earthly lives.
Pope at Audience: As we cross from old year to new, let us entrust everything to God
At the final General Audience of 2025, Pope Leo XIV invites the faithful to give thanks for the past, seek forgiveness, and entrust the journey ahead to God’s mercy.
Against the logic of war: History and hope define Realism as "Peace"
As global conflict reaches levels unseen since the Second World War, Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the World Day of Peace challenges a war-centred understanding of security. Neil Thorns, CAFOD’s Director of Advocacy, reflects on why redefining “realism” is now essential.
Mayor of Rome: 2025 Jubilee Year ‘will remain in memory’
Roberto Gualtieri, the mayor of Rome, speaks to Vatican News-Vatican Radio about the 2025 Holy Year, describing it as a time of "very rich content and very deep spiritual values".
Reflecting on Pope Leo’s call for an unarmed peace for a wounded world
Reflecting on Pope Leo XIV’s first World Day of Peace message, Marie Dennis, the director of Pax Christi’s Catholic Institute for Non-Violence, highlights a vision of peace that is unarmed, disarming, humble, and persevering. In a world marked by fear and conflict, she points to Gospel non-violence as a concrete, hopeful path already being lived in communities across the globe.
Seventeen Catholic missionaries killed in 2025, 10 of them in Africa
The Vatican's Fides News Agency releases its annual report on missionaries and pastoral workers killed in the last year, recording 17 deaths across the globe, with the African continent, and Nigeria especially, the most affected.
2025 in numbers: Over 3 million faithful visited the Vatican
Data released by the Prefecture of the Papal Household shows that over 250,000 people attended papal audiences and liturgical celebrations in the Vatican in the period to April. Following the election of Pope Leo XIV in early May, nearly three million faithful took part in Masses and ceremonies.
Guinea closes 2025 Jubilee Year with an appeal to citizens - embrace civic responsibility
The Jubilee Year for the particular Churches concluded worldwide on Sunday, 28 December 2025. In Guinea, however, the Church anticipated this conclusion by one day due to the national electoral calendar. Between spiritual fervour, homage to the pioneers of faith in the country, and a call to civic responsibility, Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly alluded to a church continuing its mission for the next 25 years and beyond.
Bishop Dolan: Faith and science both necessary to care for mental health
As the ongoing mental health crisis presents a significant pastoral challenge for the Church, US Bishop John Dolan of Phoenix calls for true support for people, rather than oversimplifications or quick solutions.
Over a million still need help a month after Sri Lanka cyclone
The island’s eastern coast was badly hit in late November, causing hundreds of casualties and displacing thousands of people.
DR Congo archbishop welcomes Pope’s call for a disarmed peace
The Archbishop of Lubumbashi and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), Fulgence Muteba, reflects on how Pope Leo’s strong appeal for a “disarmed and disarming” peace has been received in the country, the experience of the Jubilee of Hope in his diocese, and his wishes for the coming year.
Pope's images and words light up the Eternal City for Christmas
Large screens around the Vatican display photos and messages of Pope Leo XIV as part of a Christmas initiative promoted by the Dicastery for Communication in collaboration with Selfiestreet, running through December 31.
Sudanese General rejects possibility of mediated solution to war
The leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces has rejected the possibility of reaching a political solution to end the brutal civil his army is waging against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Vincentians sisters’ mission of compassion for children in Russia
The Congregation of Missions and the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul carries out a mission in Russia to offer a silent witness, sharing a small seed of hope and a place where people may find shelter.
Pope Leo: Gambling ruins families
Pope Leo XIV meets with mayors from across Italy, calling on them to promote “authentically human relationships” in order to combat gambling and other forms of loneliness.
Pope to Spanish pilgrims: Follow Jesus with the saints' examples
Pope Leo XIV encourages pilgrims from a parish in Spain to follow the witness of their namesake, St. Thomas of Villanova, in his love for the poor, profound interior life, tireless work, and apostolic zeal.
Zelenskyy seeks security guarantees as peace talks continue
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is holding talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump at his Florida residence, as part of renewed efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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