Pope Leo XIV has made public his message for Lent 2026, in which he urges the faithful around the world to journey through this liturgical season as a true path of inner renewal, focused on listening to the Word of God, on fasting that transforms life, and on responsible use of language.
The Pontiff emphasizes that Lent cannot be reduced to a set of external gestures or formal practices, but must become a profound experience of heart conversion, capable of changing the relationship with God, with others, and with oneself.
In his message, the Pope highlights that listening is the first step in any process of conversion. In a context marked by constant noise, information overload, and difficulty pausing, he invites a rediscovery of the value of silence and attention to God’s voice. This listening, he notes, is not limited to prayer or reading of Sacred Scripture, but also extends to the cry of those who suffer, the poor, the excluded, or the lonely, whose voices are often overlooked.
Alongside listening, the Pope proposes rediscovering the true meaning of fasting. Beyond food deprivation, he explains that fasting means learning to order desires, renounce the superfluous, and free oneself from anything that prevents placing God at the center of life. This exercise of sobriety, he adds, helps to recognize what is truly essential and fosters greater sensitivity to the needs of others.
One of the most notable aspects of the message is the invitation to practice a “fast of words.” The Pontiff urges abstaining from expressions that wound, humiliate, or create division, and to renounce defamation, hasty judgments, and verbal aggression. Instead, he encourages using language as an instrument of encounter, consolation, and reconciliation, both in family life and in social, work, political, and digital spheres.
The Pope warns that, in a world marked by polarization and conflict, the way we speak and communicate can either deepen divisions or build bridges of dialogue and respect.
Finally, the message invites living Lent in community, strengthening bonds among families, parishes, and ecclesial groups. The Pontiff concludes by expressing his hope that this liturgical season helps believers renew their faith and translate inner conversion into concrete gestures of closeness, solidarity, and mercy.
