After the death of Pope Francis last April, the Holy See is experiencing the first feast days under the pontificate of Leo XIV. The new Pope, of American origin, has aroused great expectation by deciding that his Christmas debut will be marked by a return to his roots.
In a gesture that seeks to recapture the solemnity of yesteryear, the Vatican has modified its agenda to embrace once again the more traditional customs of the Church.
When is Midnight Mass 2025?
The central event of Christmas Eve will be the Midnight Mass, which this year recovers its historic schedule. In recent years, for various health and organizational reasons, the ceremony had been moved forward to 7:00 pm; however, Pope Leo XIV has decided that this Wednesday, December 24, the Mass will begin at 10:00 pm.
This change is significant, as it places the liturgy closer to midnight, allowing the transition to Christmas Day to be experienced in a more classical atmosphere in St. Peter’s Basilica.
How to watch the event live
For those who cannot travel to Rome, the Vatican remains committed to bringing the faith closer through technology. The Midnight Mass and subsequent events can be followed live as follows:
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Television: In Spain, RTVE will provide full coverage of the main ceremonies through its usual channels.
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Streaming: The Vatican’s official channels on YouTube and its social networks will broadcast the signal in high definition and in several languages.
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Radio: Religious radio stations also usually connect to the signal of the Holy See to offer live narration.
What are the other masses planned for these dates?
Pope Leo XIV’s activity does not end at midnight on the 24th. The official calendar for the rest of the feast days includes appointments of great relevance for the faithful:
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Christmas Day (December 25): At 10:00 a.m., the Pontiff will preside the Solemn Mass in the Basilica. Shortly after, at noon(12:00h), he will deliver the expected ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message from the central balcony, where he will greet the pilgrims and bless the world.
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Rest retreat: After the initial hustle and bustle, the Pope will move on December 26 to Castel Gandolfo for a few days of retreat and peace before closing the year.
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New Year’s Eve (December 31): Leo XIV will return to St. Peter’s to lead the last ceremony of 2025, the recitation of the ‘Te Deum,’ an act of thanksgiving for the past year.
