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NOTIFICATION LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS OF CHRISTMAS TIME 2025-2026 PRESIDED OVER BY THE HOLY FATHER LEO XIV

Wednesday 24 December 2025 SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD Papal Chapel Saint Peter’s Basilica, 22.00

The Holy Father Leo XIV will preside over Mass on the night of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. The Eucharistic Celebration will be preceded by the preparation, which will begin at 21.40, and by the singing of the Kalenda.

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The Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops who wish to concelebrate are invited to be present by 21.30 in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, bringing with them: the Cardinals and Patriarchs, their white damask mitre; the Archbishops and Bishops, their simple white mitre.

The Presbyters who wish to concelebrate, and the Deacons, must obtain the relevant ticket from this office via the procedure indicated at https://biglietti.liturgiepontificie.va , subject to availability of places, are invited to be present by 21.00 at the Braccio di Costantino, bringing with them their amice, alb, cincture and white stole.

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In accordance with the Motu Proprio “Pontificalis Domus”, the members of the Pontifical Chapel who wish to participate in the liturgical celebration without concelebrating must present the Notification , to be obtained at [email protected] by 18 December. They are all required to wear their own choral habit and to be present at the Altar of the Confessio by 21.30, in order to be shown to their places by the Pontifical Masters of Ceremonies.

Thursday 25 December 2025 SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD Saint Peter’s Basilica, 10.00

The Holy Father Leo XIV will preside over Mass of the day of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord.

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The Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops who wish to concelebrate are invited to be present by 9.30 in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, bringing with them: the Cardinals and Patriarchs, their white damask mitre; the Archbishops and Bishops, their simple white mitre.

The Presbyters who wish to concelebrate, and the Deacons, must obtain the relevant ticket from this office via the procedure indicated at https://biglietti.liturgiepontificie.va , subject to availability of places, are invited to be present by 9.00 at the Braccio di Costantino, bringing with them their amice, alb, cincture and white stole.

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In accordance with the Motu Proprio “Pontificalis Domus”, the members of the Pontifical Chapel who wish to participate in the liturgical celebration without concelebrating must present the Notification , to be obtained at [email protected] by 18 December. They are all required to wear their own choral habit and to be present at the Altar of the Confessio by 9.30, in order to be shown to their places by the Pontifical Masters of Ceremonies.

Thursday 25 December 2025 SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD Central Loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica, 12.00 “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing

The Holy Father Leo XIV will address his Christmas message to the world, and will impart the “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing.

Wednesday 31 December 2025 SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Saint Peter’s Basilica, 17.00

The Holy Father Leo XIV will celebrate First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, to be followed by the traditional singing of the “Te Deum” hymn, at the conclusion of the civil year.

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In accordance with the Motu Proprio “Pontificalis Domus”, the Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and all the members of the Pontifical Chapel who wish to participate in the liturgical celebration without concelebrating must present the Notification , to be obtained at [email protected] by 18 December. They are all required to wear their own choral habit and to be present at the Altar of the Confessio by 16.30, in order to be shown to their places by the Pontifical Masters of Ceremonies.

Thursday 1 January 2026 SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Saint Peter’s Basilica, 10.00

The Holy Father Leo XIV will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, in the Octave of Christmas, and the 59th World Day of Peace.

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The Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops who wish to concelebrate are invited to be present by 9.30 in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, bringing with them: the Cardinals and Patriarchs, their white damask mitre; the Archbishops and Bishops, their simple white mitre.

The Presbyters who wish to concelebrate, and the Deacons, must obtain the relevant ticket from this office via the procedure indicated at https://biglietti.liturgiepontificie.va , subject to availability of places, are invited to be present by 9.00 at the Braccio di Costantino, bringing with them their amice, alb, cincture and white stole.

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In accordance with the Motu Proprio “Pontificalis Domus”, the members of the Pontifical Chapel who wish to participate in the liturgical celebration without concelebrating must present the Notification , to be obtained at [email protected] by 18 December. They are all required to wear their own choral habit and to be present at the Altar of the Confessio by 9.30, in order to be shown to their places by the Pontifical Masters of Ceremonies.

Tuesday 6 January 2026 SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Closing of the Ordinary Jubilee 2025 Papal Chapel Saint Peter’s Basilica, 9.30

The Holy Father Leo XIV will preside over the rite of the Closing of the Holy Door and the Eucharistic Celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

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The Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops who wish to concelebrate are invited to be present by 9.00 at the Braccio di Costantino, bringing with them: the Cardinals and Patriarchs, their white damask mitre; the Archbishops and Bishops, their simple white mitre.

The Presbyters who wish to concelebrate, and the Deacons, must obtain the relevant ticket from this office via the procedure indicated at https://biglietti.liturgiepontificie.va , subject to availability of places, are invited to be present by 9.00 in the Gregorian Chapel, bringing with them their amice, alb, cincture and white stole.

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In accordance with the Motu Proprio “Pontificalis Domus”, the members of the Pontifical Chapel who wish to participate in the liturgical celebration without concelebrating must present the Notification , to be obtained at [email protected] by 18 December. They are all required to wear their own choral habit and to be present at the Altar of the Confessio by 9.00, in order to be shown to their places by the Pontifical Masters of Ceremonies.

Vatican City, 6 December 2025

By mandate of the Holy Father

✠ Diego Ravelli Titular Archbishop of Recanati Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations

We are pleased to learn that today the episcopal dignity of His Excellency Giuseppe Zhang Weizhu, bishop emeritus of the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang (Henan, mainland China), has been civilly recognized. This measure is the result of dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities and constitutes an important new step in the journey of communion of the ecclesiastical circumscription.

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Cancún-Chetumal, Mexico

Appointment of auxiliary bishop of the metropolitan archdiocese of Monterrey, Mexico

Appointment of members of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints

Appointment of pontifical delegate for the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care

 

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Cancún-Chetumal, Mexico

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Cancún-Chetumal, Mexico, presented by Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo Cárdenas, L.C.

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Salvador González Morales, until now titular of Lacubaza and auxiliary of the metropolitan archdiocese of México, as bishop of the diocese of Cancún-Chetumal, Mexico.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. González Morales was born in Mexico City on 20 December 1971. He was awarded a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome.

He was ordained a priest on 18 May 2002.

He has held the following offices: prefect and vice rector of the major seminary, secretary general of the Instituto Superior de Estudios Eclesiásticos in Mexico City, professor at the Lumen Gentium University and parish vicar, parish priest of San Bernardino (now Catedral de Xochimilco ), dean of the Second Deanery of the Seventh Episcopal Vicariate.

On 16 February 2019 he was appointed titular bishop of Lacubaza and auxiliary bishop of the metropolitan archdiocese of México, receiving episcopal ordination the following 25 March.

He is currently vicar general and moderator of the Curia, and accompanies the Metropolitan Chapter of the Cathedral of Mexico City.

 

Appointment of auxiliary bishop of the metropolitan archdiocese of Monterrey, Mexico

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend José Eugenio Ramos Delgado, of the clergy of the metropolitan archdiocese of Monterrey, Mexico, currently episcopal vicar of the Fifth Pastoral Zone and parish priest of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese, assigning him the titular see of Mattiana.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. José Eugenio Ramos Delgado was born in Monclava, diocese of Saltillo, on 28 October 1973. He was awarded a licentiate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome.

He was ordained a priest on 14 August 1999, and incardinated in the metropolitan archdiocese of Monterrey.

He has held the following offices: parish vicar and spiritual director of the seminary of Monterrey, parish priest and rector of the metropolitan cathedral of Monterrey and rector of the Antonio de Padua Ríos School.

He is currently episcopal vicar of the Fifth Pastoral Zone, parish priest of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima , and director of the Archdiocesan Biblical School of Monterrey.

 

Appointment of members of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints

The Holy Father has appointed the following as members of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints: His Eminence Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, metropolitan archbishop of Köln, Germany; His Eminence Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, major penitentiary; His Eminence Cardinal Roberto Repole, metropolitan archbishop of Turin and bishop of Susa, Italy; His Eminence Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, S.D.B., pro-prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life; Archbishop Fortunato Morrone, metropolitan of Reggio Calabria-Bova, Italy; Monsignor Alfonso Vincenzo Amarante, C.SS.R., Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical Lateran University; and Bishop Sławomir Oder of Gliwice, Poland.

 

Appointment of pontifical delegate for the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care

The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva, metropolitan of Buenos Aires, as pontifical delegate for the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care.

This morning, the Holy Father received in audience:

- Archbishop Filippo Iannone, O. Carm., prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops;

- Ambassadors of Uzbekistan, Moldova, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Liberia, Thailand, Lesotho, South Africa, Fiji, Micronesia, Latvia and Finland, on the occasion of the presentation of their credential letters;

- Bishop Paul Joseph Bradley, emeritus of Kalamazoo, United States of America.

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Activities of the Holy Father in the afternoon:

- Concert with the Poor.

The following is the message sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Beatification of the Martyrs of Chimbote, Peru:

 

Message of the Holy Father

To the brothers and sisters of the pilgrim Church in Chimbote,

and to all those who join in this act of thanksgiving

On the tenth anniversary of the beatification of the martyrs of Chimbote — Blessed Michal Tomaszek, Zbigniew Strzalkowski and Alessandro Dordi — I wish to join in the gratitude of the Church in Peru, Poland, Italy and many other places where their memory remains an encouragement to fidelity.

These three missionary priests shared the life of their communities, celebrating the Eucharist and administering the Sacraments, organizing catechesis and supporting charity in contexts of poverty and violence. In 1991, after deciding to stay where they were carrying out their ministry in the midst of their flock, as genuine pastors, they were murdered out of hatred of the faith.

In reality, even before their deaths, the missionary life of each of them gave a glimpse of the essential message of Christianity. They were three clearly different priests: two young Polish Franciscan friars and an Italian diocesan priest. They brought with them different languages, cultures, formations, charisms, spiritualities and ways of proceeding. Each had a unique way of approaching people and living out his ministry. But in Peru, this diversity did not create distance; on the contrary, it became a contribution. In Pariacoto and in the region of Santa, they shared the same zeal, the same dedication and the same love for the people - especially the most needy - carrying in their hearts, with pastoral affection, the concerns and sufferings of the inhabitants of those lands.

Having also served in that beloved country, I find in them something deeply familiar to those who have lived the mission and, at the same time, essential for the whole Church: the communion that arises when such different stories are brought together by Christ and in Christ, so that what each person is and contributes – without ceasing to be themselves – ends up converging in a single witness to the Gospel for the good and the edification of the people of God.

I therefore firmly believe that their lives, as well as their martyrdom, can be an invitation today to unity and mission for the universal Church. In a time marked by different sensibilities, in which it is easy to succumb to dichotomies or sterile dialectics, the Blesseds of Chimbote remind us that the Lord is capable of joining what our human logic tends to separate. It is not the full coincidence of opinions that unites us, but rather the decision to conform our opinion to that of Christ (cf. Lumen gentium , no.13).

The blood of the martyrs was not shed to serve personal plans or ideas, but as a unique offering of love to the Lord and to his people. Their martyrdom shows us – with the authority of life given – what true communion is: so many origins, many styles, many contexts, many gifts… but “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all” ( Eph 4:5-6).

Today, as we face the pastoral and cultural challenges confronting the Church, their memory asks us to take a decisive step: to return to Jesus Christ as the measure of our choices, our words and our priorities. To return to him with that steadfastness of heart that does not retreat, even when fidelity to the Gospel demands the gift of one's life. Only when he is the point of reference does the mission regain its proper form and the Church remember why it exists: “She exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ's sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection.” (Saint Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi , no. 14).

May this anniversary be for the Church in Chimbote an opportunity to renew our readiness to the apostolate. I urge the communities who welcomed these martyrs to continue today the mission for which they gave their lives, that of proclaiming Jesus with words and deeds, preserving the faith amid difficulties, serving the most vulnerable with humility, and keeping hope alive even when reality becomes difficult. And when their spirits falter in the face of danger, may they remember that history is not closed, nor is it alien to grace (cf. Rom 8:28); where there are faithful witnesses — like these priests and so many others — the future opens up, because it is Christ himself who continues to act in his Church and to lead history towards the fullness of his Kingdom. And before Him, even death does not have the last word (cf. Rev 1:18).

I would like to conclude by addressing a word to the young people of Peru, Poland, Italy and the entire world. The witness of the martyrs of Chimbote shows that life bears fruit to the extent to which one is open to God’s call. Michal was only thirty years old, and Zbigniew thirty-three; they had been exercising their ministry for just a few years, and yet in that youth, sometimes considered inexperienced or fragile, God once again reminded his Church that the fruitfulness of the mission does not depend on the length of the journey, but on the fidelity with which it is travelled.

My invitation also stems from this certainty. Young people, do not be afraid of the Lord's call! Whether to the priesthood, to the consecrated life, or even to the mission ad gentes , to go where Christ is not yet known. I also invite the clergy — especially young priests — to generously consider the possibility of offering themselves as fidei donum , following the example of Blessed Alessandro; and I encourage bishops to support the zeal of young priests and to assist the Churches most in need by fraternally sending ministers to extend Christ's pastoral charity where it is most needed.

May the memory of these witnesses enlighten the path of the pilgrim Church in Chimbote and of those who, all over the world, wish to follow and imitate our Saviour with a generous heart. With these wishes, entrusting you to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of martyrs, I impart to you my heartfelt Blessing.

Vatican, 26 November 2025