Vatican City: The Vatican has released Pope Leo XIV’s liturgical schedule for November 2025 through January 2026, a calendar that will guide the faithful through solemnities, jubilees, and the Church’s first Christmas season with the new Pontiff. The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff unveiled the program on Tuesday, offering a glimpse into three months rich with prayer, tradition, and historic milestones.
The month of November opens with a historic event: on November 1, during Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints, Pope Leo will proclaim St. John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church. The Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square in the context of the Jubilee of the World of Education.
On November 3, the Pope will celebrate a Requiem Mass for the repose of the souls of Pope Francis and for all Cardinals and Bishops who passed away in the past year.
The Holy Father will then travel to the Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran on November 9, marking the Solemnity of the Dedication of the Cathedral of Rome.
Later in the month, on November 16, Pope Leo will preside over Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the Jubilee of the Poor, highlighting the Church’s mission to those most in need.
The liturgical year will draw to a close on November 23, with Pope Leo celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King in St. Peter’s Square, coinciding with the conclusion of the Jubilee of Choirs.
The season of Advent ushers in some of the most cherished traditions. On December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Leo will gather with the faithful at Piazza di Spagna for the traditional Act of Veneration to Mary Immaculate.
Just days later, on December 12, the Pope will celebrate Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Peter’s Basilica, underscoring the global dimension of Marian devotion.
On December 14, the Third Sunday of Advent, he will lead Mass in St. Peter’s for the Jubilee of Prisoners, focusing attention on mercy and inclusion.
The highlight of the month will come with the Pope’s first Christmas at the helm of the Church. On December 24, Pope Leo will preside at the Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, beginning at 10 p.m. Rome time, with a worldwide broadcast. The celebrations continue on Christmas Day with Mass in the Basilica, followed by the Pope’s appearance at the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s for the Urbi et Orbi blessing, extending peace and blessing “to the City and to the World.”
The New Year begins with First Vespers on December 31, during which Pope Leo will lead the Te Deum, the hymn of thanksgiving for the blessings of the past year.
On January 1, 2026, the Pope will celebrate Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, while also marking the 59th World Day of Peace, reinforcing the Church’s call for global harmony.
The liturgical season of Christmas will continue with the Solemnity of the Epiphany on January 6, celebrated with Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. At the start of the liturgy, Pope Leo will solemnly close the Holy Door, bringing the 2025 Jubilee Year to its official conclusion. The Holy Door will remain sealed until the next Jubilee in 2033, which will commemorate the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s Redemption.
The Christmas cycle will close on January 11 with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. In the Sistine Chapel, Pope Leo will baptize infants, continuing a tradition begun by Pope St. John Paul II, symbolizing new life and continuity within the Church.
The Vatican reminded pilgrims and the faithful that tickets for Papal Audiences and Celebrations are always free of charge. Details and reservations are available on the websites of the Office for Liturgical Celebrations and the Prefecture of the Papal Household.
As the Church prepares for Advent and Christmas, Pope Leo’s upcoming liturgical program underscores a blend of tradition, renewal, and pastoral outreach setting the tone for his first festive season as Supreme Pontiff.