If you were looking for news about the pope today, you might be surprised to find that the headlines aren’t just about a change of face in the Vatican, but a radical shift in how the Church plans to handle the next twelve months.
We aren't talking about Pope Francis anymore.
Since the election of Pope Leo XIV in May 2025, the Vatican has been moving at a breakneck speed to distance itself from the "emergency mode" of the previous decade. Today, January 17, 2026, marks a pivotal moment in this new papacy. We are officially one week into the Year of Saint Francis, a massive spiritual and diplomatic undertaking that Leo XIV proclaimed to mark the 800th anniversary of the Poverello’s death.
Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating how quickly things have changed.
Just a couple of days ago, the Vatican unveiled the official mosaic portrait of the new Pope. It's a "tondo"—a circular artwork—that will eventually hang in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, right next to the portrait of Francis. Leo XIV apparently joked with the artists about his own image while nursing a winter cold. It’s a small detail, but it says a lot about the guy. He’s human. He’s relatable. But he’s also moving fast.
The Franciscan Jubilee: Why It Matters Right Now
The big news about the pope today centers on the Apostolic Penitentiary’s decree regarding plenary indulgences. If that sounds like "church-speak," here is the simple version: the Pope is trying to get people back into physical pews and historic shrines.
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The virtual world? He’s not a fan of how much it’s taking over our lives.
Leo XIV specifically noted that in an age where "the virtual takes precedence over the real," the Church needs a dose of Franciscan simplicity. This isn't just a suggestion. It’s a full-on campaign. The 2026 Franciscan Year, which runs until January 2027, offers a plenary indulgence to anyone who makes a pilgrimage to a Franciscan place of worship.
- The requirement: You have to show up in person.
- The exception: If you’re sick or elderly, you can join spiritually, but for everyone else, the Pope is basically saying, "Put down the phone and go walk somewhere."
It’s a bold move. Most leaders are trying to figure out how to be more digital. Leo XIV is doing the exact opposite. He’s leaning into the "unarmed and disarming peace" of St. Francis of Assisi, which was also the theme of his World Day of Peace message just a few weeks ago.
Diplomacy and "Semantic Ambiguity"
In a massive speech to 184 diplomats earlier this month—which is still the talk of Rome today—Leo XIV threw down some serious gauntlets. He didn’t just talk about peace in a vague way. He attacked what he calls "semantic ambiguity."
Basically, he’s tired of people using soft words to hide hard realities. He’s pushing for clearer, more direct language in politics. When he looks at the global landscape today, he sees "war back in vogue." It’s a blunt assessment. From the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza to the U.S. military operations in South America involving Nicolás Maduro, the Pope is positioning himself as a mediator who isn't afraid to call out specific violations of international law.
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He’s also not backing down on social issues. In that same speech, he gave his most explicit pro-life address yet, condemning surrogacy as a "negotiable service" that violates human dignity.
You’ve gotta realize this is a different vibe than his predecessor. While Francis often focused on the "how" of mercy, Leo XIV seems more focused on the "what" of truth. He’s combining the environmental legacy of Laudato Si’ with a very traditional, almost Augustinian defense of the family. It's a hybrid approach that has both liberals and conservatives in the Church scratching their heads.
What’s Actually on the Pope’s Calendar?
If you're wondering what the Pope is doing today behind the scenes, he’s likely prepping for a massive travel year.
We know he’s planning a trip to Spain later in 2026. This is huge because Francis never actually visited the Spanish mainland during his entire 12-year papacy. Leo XIV wants to go to Madrid, Barcelona, and specifically the Canary Islands. Why the islands? Because that’s where the migrants are arriving from West Africa.
But there’s more. He’s got eyes on:
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- Algeria: He wants to visit the sites associated with St. Augustine.
- Peru: This is where he served as a missionary for twenty years.
- The United States: He’s already been vocal about the treatment of detained migrants, and there are whispers of a visit to address those letters he received from families "terrorized" by deportation fears.
The Restoration of the "Last Judgment"
Wait, did you hear about the Sistine Chapel?
Starting this month, the Vatican Museums are doing "extraordinary conservation work" on Michelangelo’s Last Judgment. This is a big deal for tourists. If you’re planning a trip to Rome this spring, you might find parts of the chapel obstructed. They have to do it, though. Millions of visitors every year create a microclimate of humidity and dust that is literally eating away at the frescoes.
The goal is to have it all cleaned up and pristine before Holy Week in April.
Actionable Insights for the Faithful and the Curious
If you are following news about the pope today to stay informed on Church direction, here is what you need to actually do:
- Check Local Franciscan Sites: If you want to participate in the Jubilee, look for a local parish or shrine dedicated to St. Francis or St. Clare. You don't have to fly to Assisi to get the "spiritual perks" of the year.
- Watch the World Day of the Sick Briefing: On January 20, Cardinal Michael Czerny is going to drop the full details for the 34th World Day of the Sick. The main event is happening in Chiclayo, Peru—Leo XIV’s old stomping grounds.
- Audit Your Language: Take a page from the Pope’s book. He’s challenging everyone to avoid "semantic ambiguity." Speak clearly. If you mean "no," say "no." It's a small way to practice the "disarming diplomacy" he's preaching.
Leo XIV is proving that he isn't just a "placeholder" pope. Between the restoration of the Vatican’s most famous art and the launch of a global Franciscan year, he's setting a course that is deeply traditional yet aggressively engaged with the world's current mess. Whether it’s his stance on climate skepticism or his critique of "virtual" religion, he’s making it clear that the 2026 Church is going to be anything but quiet.
The best way to stay current is to watch the Wednesday General Audiences. He’s currently doing a series on Dei Verbum and the Second Vatican Council. He isn't interested in "numbers" or how many people are in the crowd; he’s looking for what he calls "living members of the Body of Christ."
Keep an eye on the news coming out of the Vatican Press Office this Tuesday for the Peru trip specifics. That’s going to be the next big move for this papacy.