After the celebration, the Pope visited the life-size nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square and greeted the faithful
Pope Leo XIV 2025 closed the year 2025 with a prayer for Rome to be a more welcoming city for foreigners and vulnerable people.
On Wednesday night, the pontiff presided over New Year’s Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, giving thanks for the Holy Year that brought millions of pilgrims to the Italian capital.
Leão, who will officially close the Jubilee on January 6, praised volunteers and authorities for their logistical support and recalled Pope Francis’ call for Rome to become more hospitable. Among those present was the president of the Chamber, Roberto Gualtieri.
“We thank all those who, in the months and days of 2025, worked at the service of pilgrims and to make Rome more welcoming,” said the Pope.
“A year ago, this was the desire of beloved Pope Francis. I would like it to be like that again, and I would even say even more so after this time of grace”, he added.
“What can we wish for Rome? May it be worthy of its little ones. Of children, of lonely and fragile elderly people, of families struggling to survive, of men and women who came from far away in search of a dignified life”, said Leo XIV.
After the celebration, the Pope visited the life-size nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square and greeted the faithful. The year was also marked by the papal transition, following the death of Francis in April and the election of the first North American pope.
Leo XIV also stated that the world needs liberating and peaceful projects, and not armed strategies aimed at conquering markets, territories and spheres of influence.
“In our times, we feel the need for a wise, benevolent and merciful plan. Let it be a free and liberating, peaceful and faithful plan”, said the Pope.
“Other designs, however, today as yesterday, are engulfing the world”, added the head of Catholics.
“They are, rather, strategies designed to conquer markets, territories and spheres of influence. Armed strategies, covered in hypocritical speeches, ideological proclamations and false religious motives”, he said.
Hours earlier, in the last general audience of the year, the Pope lamented that 2025 had been marked by “painful events”, such as the various war scenarios that continue to “devastate the planet”.
After greeting the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, in Rome, Leo XIV recalled that the year that is ending was marked by important events, some painful, such as the death of Pope Francis, and others “happier”, such as the pilgrimage of people from all over the world to the Vatican on the occasion of the Holy Year.
“A great sign that has accompanied us in recent months: that of the path and the goal. So many pilgrims came, this year, from all parts of the world, to pray at Peter’s tomb and confirm their adherence to Christ. This reminds us that our whole life is a journey”, said the Pope during the audience.
At the end of the audience, Leo
