J033-EL VATICANO MISA PAPA AÑO NUEVO

Pope Leo on Thursday (January 1) led a mass to mark the World Day of Peace, coinciding with the Roman Catholic Solemnity of Mary Most Holy Mother of God.

"On this solemn feast day ... let us approach the Nativity scene in faith, as the ultimate place of unarmed and disarming peace," Leo said in his homily in St. Peter's Basilica.

In December, the pontiff released a message ahead of the World Day of Peace, lamenting a global increase in military expenditures and decrying leaders who invoke religious beliefs to justify conflicts or nationalist policies.

In his Thursday speech, Leo also remembered that the Catholic Church is approaching the conclusion of the Holy Year, also known as Jubilee.

Holy Years normally occur every 25 years. The current Jubilee, dedicated to the theme of hope, was officially inaugurated by the late Pope Francis on December 24, 2024, and will run through January 6, 2026.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO ENTERING ST PETER'S BASILICA

2. ALTAR OF BASILICA

3. POPE KISSING ALTAR

4. INTERIOR OF BASILICA

5. POPE LEO LEADING MASS

6. PEOPLE TAKING SEATS

7. CHILDREN WEARING NATIVITY SCENE COSTUMES LISTENING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (BITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT):

"On this solemn feast day, at the beginning of the new year, as we approach the conclusion of the Jubilee of Hope, let us approach the Nativity scene in faith, as the ultimate place 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 life. And then set out again, like the humble witnesses of the grotto, glorifying and praising God for all that we have seen and heard. May this be our commitment, our resolve for the months to come, and always for our Christian life."

9. CLERGYMEN STANDING

10. POPE PRAYING

11. CHOIR SINGING

12. CHILDREN WEARING WISE KINGS COSTUMES BRINGING GIFTS TO POPE

13. MASS IN PROGRESS

14. POPE LEADING MASS

15. CLERGYMEN HOLDING PYXES

16. POPE RAISING EUCHARIST

17. POPE BOWING AT ALTAR

18. WOMEN WEARING TRADITIONAL COSTUMES SINGING

19. CLERGYMEN SINGING

20. POPE GIVING BLESSING