Pope Leo XIV restores custom of Christmas Day Mass

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at the Parish Church of St. Anne in the Vatican on Sept. 21, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, Sep 30, 2025 / 12:26 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Day morning, Dec. 25 — a custom dating to the pontificate of St. John Paul II.The Vatican announced Tuesday Pope Leo’s Mass schedule for Nov. 1 through the end of the Christmas season in January 2026.The addition of Christmas Mass During the Day, before the urbi et orbi blessing, is accompanied by a new hour for the celebration of the papal Christmas Mass During the Night on Dec. 24.Leo has moved the celebration of the Christmas Eve Mass from 7:30 p.m. local time, as it was celebrated by Pope Francis, to 10 p.m. The midnight Mass has not been celebrated at midnight at the Vatican since John Paul II’s pontificate.The relatively young and healthy Leo has presided over a large number of Masses and other prayer services during the first months of his pontificate.Here is Pope Leo XIV’s Mass schedule for November, December, and the beginning of January:Nov. 1 in St. Peter’s Square: Mass and the declaration of St. John Henry Newman as a doctor of the Church during the Jubilee of the World of Education on the solemnity of All SaintsNov. 3 in St. Peter’s Basilica: Mass for the soul of Pope Francis and the cardinals and bishops who died in the past yearNov. 9 in the Basilica of St. John Lateran: Mass for the feast of the dedication of the basilicaNov. 16 in St. Peter’s Basilica: Mass for the Jubilee of the Poor on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary TimeNov. 23 in St. Peter’s Square: Mass for the Jubilee of Choirs and Choristers on the solemnity of Christ the KingDec. 8 in Piazza di Spagna in Rome: act of veneration to the Immaculate Conception on the solemnity of the Immaculate ConceptionDec. 12 in St. Peter’s Basilica: Mass for the memorial of Our Lady of GuadalupeDec. 14 in St. Peter’s Basilica: Mass for the Jubilee of Prisoners on the third Sunday of AdventDec. 24 in St. Peter’s Basilica: Mass During the Night for the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Dec. 25 in St. Peter’s Basilica: Mass during the Day for the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Dec. 25 in St. Peter’s Basilica: urbi et orbi blessing from the central loggia of the basilicaDec. 31 in St. Peter’s Basilica: first vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past yearJan. 1 in St. Peter’s Basilica: Mass for the World Day of Peace on the solemnity of Mary, Mother of GodJan. 6 in St. Peter’s Basilica: Mass and the closing of the Holy Door and the Jubilee Year 2025 on the solemnity of EpiphanyJan. 11 in the Sistine Chapel: Mass and the baptism of several babies on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord