Pope Leo XIV emphasizes liturgical year and in-person Sunday Mass

During a general audience at St. Peter’s Basilica on August 12, 2026, Pope Leo XIV delivered a catechesis on the liturgical year, focusing on the Fifth Chapter of the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution, Sacrosanctum Concilium.

The Pope emphasized that the liturgical year is not merely a historical remembrance but a “constant renewal of the work of salvation” that keeps the Church in contact with Christ’s redemptive actions. He referenced the teachings of Pope Pius XII and noted that the modern understanding of the liturgical year was significantly advanced by Abbot Prosper Guéranger.

A central theme of the address was the importance of Sunday, described as the “foundation and kernel of the whole liturgical year.” Pope Leo XIV stressed that Sunday Mass is a vital communal event that cannot be replaced by virtual participation. He urged for better conditions to allow those who work on Sundays to attend Mass in person.

In a separate video message sent to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in Orlando, Florida, the Pope also encouraged religious sisters to foster new vocations among young people, noting a “growing hunger for God” despite increasing secularization.