Christian World | At the All Saints' Day Angelus in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said holiness is a universal calling, not a privilege, and urged the faithful never to tire of peace

ACW | November 2, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV told crowds in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, November 1, 2026, the feast of All Saints, that holiness is a universal vocation and not the privilege of a few.

"Holiness is not a privilege reserved for a few, but a universal vocation that speaks to each of us where we live," the pope said in his Angelus address, according to the official text published by the Vatican.

He called the saints "the most beautiful and powerful sign of the Kingdom of God that is coming" and asked that "we may never grow weary of fostering peace," both in major situations and in everyday life.

After the prayer, the pope entrusted to Mary, Queen of Peace and of All Saints, "all those throughout the world who are suffering because of war." He also asked people to pray for the dead, "especially those whom no one remembers."

He invoked the intercession of the martyr Pedro de Corpa and his Franciscan companions "for all missionaries of the Gospel."

Background: The five Franciscan martyrs were beatified in Savannah, Georgia, on Saturday; read ACW’s report. In the same Angelus, the pope also spoke about the humanitarian operation in Oleshky, Ukraine, and hoped it would lead to new peace initiatives (ACW report).

Why it matters: Pope Leo said holiness is a calling for every believer, and in the same message he entrusted all those suffering because of war to prayer.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Holy See — Official text of the Angelus, November 1, 2026; Vatican News — Pope at Angelus on the feast of All Saints

Photo: Vatican Media