As Christmas draws near, Pope Leo XIV is urging Catholics to reclaim Advent as a sacred season of interior preparation rather than a time consumed by constant activity and distraction.
Speaking during his Wednesday General Audience on December 17, the Holy Father emphasized that Advent is meant to shape hearts for a true encounter with Christ, not merely external readiness for the holiday. According to Vatican News, Pope Leo prayed that families might experience “a blessed Advent in preparation for the coming of the newborn Jesus, Son of God and Savior of the world.”
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Addressing pilgrims from multiple language groups in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope repeatedly returned to the danger of allowing busyness to eclipse spiritual vigilance. As Christmas approaches, he warned that excessive activity can hollow out the feast itself. “Let us be careful not to get caught up in frenetic activity in preparing for the feast, which would lead us to experience it in a superficial way and leave room for disappointment,” he said, according to Vatican News. Instead, he urged the faithful to cultivate attentiveness of heart so that Christ’s presence becomes “the treasure of our lives and hearts forever.”
Pope Leo also highlighted the importance of the Nativity scene as a visible reminder of the Incarnation. Speaking to Italian pilgrims, he reflected that the Nativity is not only an expression of faith but also a vital element of Christian culture and art, helping believers remember that Jesus “came ‘to dwell among us,’” according to Vatican News.
Throughout his greetings, the Pope framed Advent as a season marked by prayer, repentance, and hopeful expectation. He encouraged German-speaking pilgrims to welcome Christ “without reservation,” affirming that “He is our hope,” and invited the faithful to pray with confidence, “Come, Lord Jesus,” according to Vatican News.
In his remarks to Polish pilgrims, Pope Leo called the final days of Advent a privileged time for reflection and prayer, pointing especially to Confession and spiritual retreats as concrete ways to prepare for Christ’s coming. Addressing Portuguese-speaking pilgrims, he noted the significance of the Christmas Novena, describing it as an opportunity “to lighten the heart” in anticipation of the Lord’s birth, and he entrusted families to the care of “Our Lady of Hope,” according to Vatican News.
The Pope concluded his greetings by reminding Arabic-speaking pilgrims that openness to God’s love and love of neighbor leads to genuine peace and joy, reinforcing the universal call of Advent to interior renewal.
Pope Leo also announced changes to the General Audience schedule, noting that there will be no audience on December 24 due to Christmas Eve. A Jubilee Audience will take place on December 20, and the next General Audience will be held on December 31. According to Vatican News, the last New Year’s Eve General Audience occurred 50 years ago, in 1975, under Pope St. Paul VI.
As the Church enters the final days before Christmas, Pope Leo XIV’s message offers a clear invitation: slow down, pray deeply, and prepare space within the heart to welcome Christ anew.
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