BREAKING: Pope Leo has made history with a surprise video message to tens of thousands of young Catholics gathered at the SEEK 2026 conference on the very first day of the year 2026. Speaking directly to participants in Columbus, Denver, and Fort Worth, he invited them to spend real time with Jesus—whether for the first encounter or a deeper friendship—and to stay open to “what the Lord has in store.” Emphasizing that only Christ brings true peace and joy, the Pope urged young people to ask God

As early as 4 a.m., Catholic faithful marked the first Friday of 2026 by attending the traditional weekly mass at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila. | via Allison Co, ABS-CBN News | ABS-CBN News

On the Feast of the Holy Family, His Eminence Cardinal James Harvey closed the third Holy Door of the Jubilee Year at the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. This ends the Jubilee Year in the particular Churches and leaves the last remaining Holy Door open at St. Peter’s Basilica, which Pope Leo will close on January 6th. #popeleoxiv #holydoor #jubileeyear | Catholic News Agency

LIVE from St. Peter’s Square | We broadcast the Angelus prayed by Pope Leo XIV. 👉🏻 Sign up for our newsletter here: https://bit.ly/ewtnvatican Let us know where you are watching from and what your prayer requests are! Images - Vatican Media | Catholic News Agency

Today in Rome, the Holy Door of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran—the Cathedral of the Pope—was solemnly closed, marking the end of this stage of the Jubilee of Hope. As the door is sealed, the faithful are reminded that Christ Himself remains the true gate to mercy and salvation. This door will remain closed until 2033, when the Church will celebrate 2,000 years of the Resurrection of Christ. Two Holy Doors remain open in Rome: at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls and at St. Peter’s Basilica. | C

Pope Leo celebrated the Christmas Mass, also known as Midnight Mass, for a packed Vatican basilica at 10 p.m. The Vatican said an estimated 6,000 people were inside the basilica for the Mass, while another 5,000 people followed the papal Mass via jumbo screens in St. Peter’s Square. | Catholic News Agency