At the Angelus

Pope Leo: Many feel wrong, but Jesus discards no one. Grief over attacks in Nigeria

No trip to the USA in 2026. St. Peter's Square is the visiting card, a symbol of welcome to all, underlined the Pontiff as he met employees and workers of the Floreria and the Building Office

by Rome Editorial Staff

8 February 2026

Papa: fare il possibile per scongiurare nuova corsa agli armamenti

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Many feel wrong, but Jesus never throws us away
Economic and military power strategies do not give humanity a future
Prayer for Niscemi
No to new slavery, peace begins with dignity
Pain for attacks in Nigeria, close to victims of violence and terrorism
Priests live everyday life with austerity
Saint Peter's Square reception ticket

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

"The Pope will not go to the United States in 2026". This was stated by the Holy See Press Office after press rumours about a possible trip to his home country in September.

Many feel wrong, but Jesus never throws us off

pope Leo, commenting on the day's Gospel at the Angelus, assured that God never discards anyone. "How many people - perhaps it has also happened to us - feel to be discarded, wrong. It is as if their light has been hidden. Jesus, however, announces to us a God who will never throw us away, a Father who guards our name, our uniqueness. Every wound, even deep wounds, will heal by welcoming the word of the Beatitudes and setting us back on the path of the Gospel," said the Pontiff, emphasising that "it is in fact gestures of openness to others and of caring that rekindle joy".

Economic and military power strategies do not give humanity a future

"Let us continue to pray for peace, strategies of economic and military power, history teaches us, do not give humanity a future. The future lies in respect and brotherhood among peoples," said Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square.

Prayer for Niscemi

Pope Prevost also said at the end of the rite: "My prayer for the populations of Portugal, Morocco, Spain, especially Grazalema in Andalusia, and southern Italia, especially Niscemi in Sicily, affected by floods and landslides. I encourage the communities to remain united and in solidarity with the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary".

No to new slavery, peace begins with dignity

The Pope at the Angelus recalled that today is the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against human trafficking. "I thank the women religious and all those who work to oppose and eliminate current forms of slavery. Together with them I say: peace begins with dignity," said Leo XIV.

Pain for attacks in Nigeria, close to victims of violence and terrorism

"With pain and concern I have learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria, which have caused serious loss of life; I express my closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism. I hope that the competent authorities will continue to work with determination to guarantee the security and protection of the lives of every citizen," said Pope Leo XIV at the end of the Angelus in St. Peter's Square.

Priests live daily life with austerity

The Pope invited all priests "to be faithful in daily life lived with simplicity and austerity," he said at the Angelus, recalling the virtues of the priest Salvador Valera Parra, beatified yesterday in Spain.

Saint Peter's Square reception ticket

St. Peter's Square "which embraces the world with its stupendous colonnade, is the 'visiting card', as they say, of our welcome to all," the Pope underlined as he met, shortly before the Angelus, managers, employees and workers of the Floreria and the Building Office. "You have shown great passion for your tasks, especially during the recently concluded Jubilee Year. Also thanks to your common commitment,' Leone recalled, 'millions of pilgrims were able to experience the passage of the Holy Door in an orderly and serene manner, participating fruitfully in liturgical celebrations, audiences and other events. The gratitude, which I express from my heart, becomes a spur for future projects, which concern both the constant updating of the technical and logistical services, and the careful care of the Vatican environments, especially the spaces dedicated to prayer and meetings with the Pope. The decorum of the areas and the security of the structures find their highest meaning in the support given to the devotion of the faithful and the pastoral work of the Church". The Pontiff dedicated a special passage to St. Peter's Basilica: "a sacred place that asks to be guarded above all as a temple of contemplation, recollection and spiritual wonder".