Pope Leo gets into Christmas spirit at Spanish Steps
Pope Leo XIV embraced the spirit of Christmas by participating in a very Roman papal tradition: praying for peace at the statue of the Madonna near the Spanish Steps on the feast day that begins the Christmas season.
Leo greeted thousands of well-wishers who braved the cold to watch the Pope’s inaugural tour of the statue on Monday.
They were treated to Popemobile fun in Rome’s historic center, which was decked out for the start of the holiday shopping season.
The pope received a special honor from the association of store owners of Via Condotti, the chic shopping street that stretches from the Spanish Steps and features brands such as Bulgari, Hermes and Prada.
Wearing his formal red mozzetta, or cloak, Leo presented a large bouquet of white roses and then said a brief prayer at the foot of the statue.
It reminded me of the millions of people who came to Rome this year for the Holy Year pilgrimage, bringing them to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.
“After the Sacred Doors, let other doors be opened to homes and oases of peace where honor can once again flourish, non-violence can be taught and the art of reconciliation can be learned,” he said.
Leo will preside over his first Christmas as Pope this year, and he has already introduced something new.
Christmas Eve Mass, which has been moved earlier in recent years to accommodate elderly popes, will begin at 22:00 this year.
Leo will sleep for just a few hours before celebrating Christmas Day Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica the next morning, then return to the porch – where he made his first appearance as Pope on May 8 – to deliver his Urbi et Orbi address (to the city and the world).
He will preside over vespers on New Year’s Eve, followed by a New Year’s Mass and blessing ceremony on January 1.
The Christmas season culminates with the Mass of the Epiphany on January 6, which also marks the official close of the Holy Year 2025 and the closing of the basilica’s Holy Door.
Holy Years, also commonly known as Jubilees, are held every 25 years, but Leo has already announced that the following year will be celebrated in 2033 to commemorate the 2000th anniversary of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
