Pope Leo XIV emphasized Advent as a crucial period for preparation, prayer, and reflection leading up to Christmas. The Pope delivered this message during the Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square, which was decorated with the Vatican Christmas tree and Nativity Scene. He encouraged the faithful to avoid getting lost in frenetic activity during Advent to properly welcome the birth of Jesus. Pope Leo expressed hope that families would experience a blessed Advent and complete their own Nativity Scenes. The Vatican had previously unveiled its Nativity Scenes in St. Peter's Square and the Paul VI Audience Hall on December 15.
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Pope Leo XIV addressed pilgrims during the Wednesday General Audience on December 17, 2025, in a St. Peter’s Square adorned with the Vatican Christmas tree and Nativity Scene.1
He stressed Advent as a vital time for preparation, prayer, and reflection to welcome Christ's birth at Christmas.1
To English-speaking faithful, the Pope prayed for a blessed Advent preparing for the newborn Jesus, Son of God and Savior.1
In Italian greetings, he reflected on completing nativity scenes at home.1
French pilgrims were urged to avoid superficiality from frenetic preparations.1
Pope Leo warned against distractions that could lead to disappointment, encouraging attentive hearts for Jesus' presence.1
German speakers heard Advent invites welcoming Jesus without reservation as our hope.1
Poles were called to use final Advent days for reflection, prayer, confession, or retreats.1
Portuguese faithful learned of the Christmas Novena, begun December 16, as a way to lighten hearts for Christ's birth under Our Lady of Hope.1
Arabic pilgrims were reminded Christians must open to God's and neighbor's love for true peace and joy.1
The Pope hoped nativity scenes, key to faith, culture, and art, remain central to remind of Jesus dwelling among us.1
Vatican nativity scenes were unveiled December 15 in St. Peter’s Square and Paul VI Hall.1
No General Audience on December 24 due to Christmas Eve.1
A Jubilee Audience is set for December 20, with the next General Audience on December 31—last held on New Year's Eve in 1975 by Pope St. Paul VI.1
Advent demands prayerful preparation, not frantic activity
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, good morning! As we gather here on this First Sunday of Advent, the Church invites us to pause amid the swirl of holiday lights, shopping lists, and endless to-do's. Imagine for a moment: you're rushing through a crowded store, arms full of packages, heart racing, when suddenly a quiet voice whispers, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord." That's the voice of Advent calling us not to frenzy, but to prayerful preparation—a deliberate turning toward Christ who comes to us in humility, who will come again in glory. Today, our readings and the wisdom of the Church urge us: slow down, wake up, and ready your soul.
Our liturgy today weaves a beautiful tapestry of hope, urgency, and invitation. The prophet Isaiah paints a vision of the future: nations streaming to God's mountain, learning His ways, beating swords into plowshares. "O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!" This isn't a distant dream; it's a summons now, as Advent dawns, to ascend from chaos to the peace of God's house.
Echoing this, St. Paul shakes us awake: "You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers." The night is far gone; cast off "works of darkness" like quarreling, jealousy, and self-indulgence. Instead, "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh." No frantic stocking-stuffing of desires, but clothing ourselves in Christ's light.
The Psalm joyfully responds: "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!' Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem." Here, Jerusalem symbolizes the Church, the new Zion where we pray for peace: "Peace be within your walls."
Finally, Jesus Himself warns in the Gospel: As in Noah's days, people ate, drank, married—oblivious—until the flood came. "Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." Like a thief in the night, He arrives unexpectedly. One taken, one left—are you ready?
These readings connect in a single thread: Advent is no mere countdown to December 25th. It's preparation for three comings of Christ—His birth in Bethlehem, His daily presence in Eucharist and grace, and His glorious return. The Homiletic Directory reminds us: the Church prays, "Grant your faithful... the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming." Not with Amazon carts, but with repentant hearts.
Think of the shepherds on that first Christmas night—not kings with checklists, but simple men watching their flocks by night. They didn't scramble; they responded to angels with wonder and haste to the manger. Or consider Pope John Paul II, who in his Jubilee homily for the disabled, described Advent's call amid "apocalyptic" fears of the end: "The season of Advent... spurs us to prepare ourselves to welcome the Lord who will come." How? By closeness to the suffering, recognizing Christ in the excluded. No activity frenzy, but prayerful service.
Pope Francis echoes this in his words to new cardinals: "The first step of faith is to tell God that we need him... 'Come, Lord Jesus!'" A simple prayer, repeated before work, decisions, trials—like a heartbeat amid busyness. In the Catholic Encyclopedia, Advent is described as making "souls fitting abodes for the Redeemer coming in Holy Communion... and thereby ready for His final coming as judge." The Church's liturgy, with Isaiah's prophecies and "O Antiphons," fosters this through prayer, not parties.
Picture a modern analogy: a family buried in decorations, arguments over gifts, when little Timmy tugs Mom's sleeve: "Can we pray for baby Jesus?" That child embodies Advent—prayerful pause piercing frantic activity. Or recall John Paul II urging patience like farmers awaiting rain: "Be patient until the coming of the Lord." In silence, like Mary pondering, we prepare.
Brothers and sisters, Advent exposes our temptation: the world screams "Buy more! Do more!" but Christ whispers, "Watch at all times, praying." Your commute clogged with traffic? Instead of honking rage, pray Psalm 122 for peace. Grocery lines too long? Offer it up, putting on Christ's armor against "reveling and drunkenness."
In our families, frantic activity multiplies: baking marathons, office parties tempting "debauchery." But Advent applies the Gospel's vigilance: stay awake amid normalcy. Two in the field—one ready. At work, before emails, whisper "Come, Lord Jesus!" With kids, read Isaiah together: envision swords as plowshares, teaching peace over presents.
The Directory on Popular Piety warns against reducing Advent to "Marian month" busyness; it's for cultivating expectancy, like seeds in winter soil awaiting the Son. John Paul II adds: amid wars, convert to Christ's peace in the crib. Your preparation? Prayer that transforms activity into worship.
Here's your plan, simple and doable:
Commit now: this Advent, choose prayer over panic. "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ."
Dear parish family, Advent demands prayerful preparation, not frantic activity. From Isaiah's mountain to Jesus' warning, we're called to wake, walk in light, pray for peace, and stay vigilant. Popes and prophets unite: welcome Christ through prayer, service, silence. As John Paul II said, let us advance "with joyful hearts... towards Christmas," like Mary in quiet expectation.
Go forth ready! May the Lord find us watchful. Let us pray: Come, Lord Jesus! Rend the heavens, teach us Your ways, and grant us peace. O house of Jacob, walk in Your light. Amen.