The end of the year at the Vatican began with this Mass celebrated by Cardinal Müller on the occasion of the third anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's passing.
German like Pope Benedict, Cardinal Müller previously served as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV held his last public audience of 2025. In his reflection, he wished to remember Pope Francis.
POPE LEO XIV
The year that has passed has certainly been marked by important events: some joyful, such as the pilgrimage of many faithful on the occasion of the Holy Year; others painful, such as the passing of the late Pope Francis and the scenes of war that continue to shake the planet.
In the afternoon, the Te Deum was sung in St. Peter’s Basilica. This is the traditional prayer recited at the end of each December to give thanks to God for the year that has passed.
Afterwards, the Pope visited the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square, observing a tradition of his predecessors. He paused there for a moment of contemplation.
Pope Leo celebrated the Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the next day. There he pointed to Christ's Nativity as the truest source of peace.
POPE LEO XIV
Let us draw near to the Nativity scene, in faith, as the place par excellence of “unarmed and disarming” peace, a place of blessing, where we recall the wonders that the Lord has accomplished in the history of salvation and in our own lives.
Afterwards, praying the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in the square, he reiterated the world's need for dialogue and responsibility in order to achieve peace.
JRB
