Lent 2026

Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV for Lent 2026

Theme: “Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion” Date: February 13, 2026

Introduction: A Time for Renewal

Lent is a period where the Church invites us to center our lives on the mystery of God to renew our faith. This journey protects our hearts from being consumed by the anxieties and distractions of daily life. True conversion begins by welcoming the Word of God with a docile spirit, allowing it to transform us. It is an opportunity to heed the Lord’s voice and follow Christ on the road to Jerusalem toward his passion, death, and resurrection.

The Importance of Listening

Listening is the primary way we demonstrate a desire for a relationship with others. Pope Leo XIV highlights that God himself is defined by listening, as seen when he heard the cry of his people in Egypt.

* A Call to Action: Listening to the Word in liturgy teaches us to listen to the “truth of reality”.

* Responding to Suffering: Scripture helps us recognize and respond to the cries of the anguished and the poor.

* The Challenge: The condition of the poor is a “cry” that constantly challenges our societies, political systems, and the Church itself.

Fasting: Preparing for the Word

Fasting is an ancient practice essential for conversion. By involving the body, it helps us identify our true “hungers” and orders our appetites toward justice rather than complacency.

* Spiritual Expansion: Following Saint Augustine’s insight, fasting allows us to govern our desires and expand the soul to be directed toward God and doing good.

* Faith and Humility: Proper fasting must be grounded in communion with the Lord; those who do not nourish themselves with the Word cannot fast properly.

* Abstinence from Words: The Pope invites us to a practical form of fasting: refraining from words that offend or hurt. This includes:

* Disarming our language and avoiding harsh words or rash judgments.

* Refraining from slander and speaking ill of those not present.

* Cultivating kindness on social media, in political debates, and within families.

A Communal Journey

Lent is not a solitary path but a communal one. Parishes, families, and religious communities are called to undertake this journey together.

* Shared Repentance: Fasting and listening should become foundations for sincere repentance within the community.

* Relationship Quality: Conversion involves improving the quality of our dialogue and relationships.

* Building Love: Communities should be places where the cry of the suffering is welcomed, helping to build a “civilization of love”.

Conclusion and Blessing

The Holy Father concludes by asking for the grace of a Lent that leads to greater attentiveness to God and the “least among us”. He prays for the strength to use language that gives space to the voices of others.

From the Vatican, 5 February 2026

LEO PP. XIV