Pope Leo XIV is preparing for a busy November and December, with a series of liturgical celebrations and pastoral visits that will bring him closer to the faithful throughout the Diocese of Rome. His upcoming schedule includes a special Mass for All Souls’ Day, visits to five Roman parishes during Advent, and celebrations marking significant moments in the life of the Catholic Church.
The Holy Father will begin his November liturgical schedule on November 2, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, by celebrating Mass at Rome’s historic Verano Cemetery.
According to EWTN News, the Mass will begin at 4 p.m. local time at the Monumental Cemetery of Verano, Rome’s oldest and largest cemetery. The site holds particular significance for Christians, with ancient burial grounds dating to the earliest centuries of the Church and the Catacombs of St. Cyriaca.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, Pope Leo will pray for the deceased and offer an apostolic blessing over the graves, continuing the Church’s tradition of remembering and praying for those who have died.
The cemetery has previously welcomed papal celebrations of All Souls’ Day. Pope Francis celebrated Mass there in 2013, 2014, and 2015 before choosing other locations for the annual commemoration in subsequent years.
The November 2 celebration will be followed by another Mass on November 5 at St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Leo will pray for the repose of the souls of cardinals and bishops who have died during the past year.
The pontiff is also scheduled to undertake an apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6–17, during which he will celebrate nine Masses and lead several prayer services.
Upon returning to Rome, Pope Leo will celebrate Mass on November 18 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Beyond these major celebrations, the Holy Father is preparing for a series of pastoral visits intended to strengthen his relationship with the local Church he shepherds as bishop of Rome.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo will visit five parishes between November 27 and December 20, representing each of the five pastoral sectors of the Diocese of Rome.
The visits, announced by the Vicariate of Rome on October 28, will provide opportunities for the pontiff to meet parishioners, engage with parish councils and community groups, and celebrate Mass with local Catholics.
Cardinal Baldo Reina, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, emphasized the significance of the upcoming visits, saying, “Through these parishes, our entire diocese is celebrating.”
The cardinal also explained that the visits will contribute to a pastoral review of parish communities, an initiative Pope Leo previously requested during an assembly marking the beginning of the year.
The first visit is scheduled for November 27 at Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, located in Rome’s central pastoral sector. The date coincides with the Feast of the Miraculous Medal, an occasion that traditionally attracts thousands of pilgrims and faithful.
Fr. Taras Yeher, the parish’s assistant priest, expressed the community’s excitement about welcoming the pontiff.
“Welcoming the Holy Father is a source of immense joy for us,” he told Vatican News. “Welcoming him on the feast day is an even greater gift from the Lord and the Virgin Mary.”
On November 29, the First Sunday of Advent, Pope Leo will visit San Carlo da Sezze in the southern pastoral sector. The parish has a history of serving young people and those experiencing poverty and will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its dedication next year.
The Holy Father’s Advent visits will continue on December 6 at Sant’Eligio in eastern Rome. According to Vatican News, parish priest Fr. Dario Frattini welcomed the announcement as an unexpected gift for a community seeking renewed strength in faith.
On December 13, the Feast of St. Lucy, Pope Leo will celebrate with the faithful at Santa Lucia Parish in the western sector. The visit will be especially meaningful for the community as it honors its patron saint.
The final parish visit is scheduled for December 20 at San Roberto Bellarmino in northern Rome, just days before Christmas.
Fr. Antonio Panico, the parish’s assistant priest, described the upcoming celebration as “an occasion of joy and a moment of ecclesial communion,” according to Vatican News.
The parish visits will follow a similar format, with Pope Leo welcomed by Cardinal Reina and the local parish priest before meeting with community representatives and celebrating the Eucharist.
The Holy Father will also participate in another important Marian tradition during Advent. On December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, he is scheduled to lead the traditional act of veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Rome’s Piazza di Spagna.
Together, the celebrations and parish visits reflect the spiritual themes that mark the closing months of the Catholic liturgical year and the beginning of Advent.
From remembering the faithful departed on All Souls’ Day to preparing for the coming of Christ at Christmas, Pope Leo’s schedule places prayer, the Eucharist, and the life of local parish communities at the center of his pastoral ministry.
For Catholics in Rome, the upcoming visits will offer opportunities to gather with their bishop, strengthen their communion with the universal Church, and enter more deeply into the Church’s season of prayerful preparation.
Your support brings the truth to the world.
Catholic Online News exists because of donors like you. We are 100% funded by people who believe the world deserves real, uncensored news rooted in faith and truth — not corporate agendas. Your gift ensures millions can continue to access the news they can trust — stories that defend life, faith, family, and freedom.
When truth is silenced, your support speaks louder.
