Pope Leo Begins Christmas With Prayer for Peace/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope Leo XIV ushered in the Christmas season Monday by praying for peace at Rome’s Spanish Steps during the traditional Dec. 8 Marian celebration. The American pontiff greeted crowds and laid white roses at the statue of the Madonna. His message emphasized nonviolence, reconciliation, and dignity amid ongoing global turmoil.
Pope Leo XIV Christmas Season Quick Looks
- Pope prays for peace at Spanish Steps in Rome
- Annual Dec. 8 tradition marks start of Christmas season
- Leo XIV’s first public Christmas event as pope
- Lays white roses at statue of the Immaculate Conception
- Emphasizes nonviolence, reconciliation, and global dignity
- Cites millions of pilgrims visiting Rome for Holy Year
- Christmas Eve Mass to begin at traditional 10 p.m.
- Urbi et Orbi speech to follow Christmas Day Mass
- New Year’s and Epiphany Masses to conclude season
- Next Holy Year scheduled for 2033 to mark 2,000 years since crucifixion
Deep Look: Pope Leo XIV Opens Christmas Season With Peace Prayer at Spanish Steps
ROME — Pope Leo XIV welcomed the Christmas season in Rome on Monday with a message of peace and reconciliation, continuing a time-honored papal tradition at the statue of the Madonna near the Spanish Steps on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Participating in his first Christmas season as pope, the American-born pontiff visited the historic site to lay a bouquet of white roses at the base of the statue and offer a prayer. Donning his formal red mozzetta, Pope Leo was greeted by thousands of faithful who gathered in the chilly December air to witness the annual event, which unofficially kicks off the festive season in the Eternal City.
As he made his way through Rome’s historic city center in the popemobile, the streets — adorned with Christmas decorations — came alive with cheers from the crowd and warm greetings from local Romans and pilgrims alike.
In brief remarks at the foot of the statue, Pope Leo acknowledged the millions of pilgrims who had visited St. Peter’s Basilica during the 2025 Holy Year, which will officially conclude on January 6. His prayer highlighted the importance of peace, dignity, and learning the “art of reconciliation.”
“After the Holy Doors, may other doors now open — doors to homes and oases of peace where dignity can flourish once more, where nonviolence can be taught, and the art of reconciliation can be learned,” the pope said.
As part of the tradition, Pope Leo also received recognition from the Via Condotti business association, representing the upscale shopping street just steps away, home to luxury brands such as Bulgari, Prada, and Hermes.
This Christmas marks Pope Leo’s first as pontiff, and with it comes a return to a more traditional schedule for the Christmas Eve Mass, which had been held earlier in recent years due to the age and health of previous popes. This year, the Mass will begin at its customary time of 10 p.m. on December 24.
Following a brief rest, Leo XIV will celebrate Christmas Day Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, after which he will return to the central balcony — where he first appeared after his election on May 8 — to deliver his Urbi et Orbi blessing, the pope’s traditional address “to the city and the world.”
The Christmas season in the Catholic liturgical calendar will continue through January 6, ending with the Epiphany Mass, which also concludes the 2025 Holy Year of Jubilee. As part of that ceremony, the Holy Door at St. Peter’s will be ceremonially closed, marking the end of the special year of grace and pilgrimage.
While Holy Years are typically celebrated every 25 years, Pope Leo has already looked ahead to the next extraordinary Jubilee. He announced plans for another Holy Year to be held in 2033, commemorating the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection — a significant milestone for the global Church.
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