“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace”

(Num 6:24-26)

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass of 2026 on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. He began his homily by reflecting on the above blessing from the book of Numbers. The blessing was addressed to the people of Israel, who had just been freed from slavery and granted ‘an open road towards the future’.

“Thus, at the dawn of the new year, the Liturgy reminds us that for each of us, every day can be the beginning of a new life, thanks to God’s generous love, his mercy and the response of our freedom. It is beautiful to view the coming year in this way: as an open journey to be discovered… Therefore, as we set out toward the new and unique days that await us, let us ask the Lord to help us experience at every moment, around us and upon us, the warmth of his fatherly embrace and the light of his benevolent gaze.”

Read the full text of Pope Leo IVX's homily

Happy New Year