General Audience
General Audience — the meaning of Sunday
- Date:
- August 12, 2026
- Type:
- General Audience
- Location:
- St Peter's Basilica, Vatican
- Audience:
- Pilgrims and visitors
- Original language:
- IT
Summary
Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to keep Sunday holy through the Eucharist, warning that active participation in Mass cannot be replaced by watching a broadcast, and calling Sunday the 'foundation and kernel' of the liturgical year.
Key points
- Sunday is the 'foundation and kernel' of the liturgical year.
- Livestreamed Mass is a help for the sick and homebound, not a substitute for the assembly.
- The Eucharist forms the Christian community.
Important quotes
To sanctify Sunday, it is essential to celebrate the Eucharist.
Context
Part of the August 2026 catechesis on the liturgy.
Sources
- Primary sourceVatican.va (Holy See) — Leo XIV — official texts, homilies, speeches and documents · Primary / official full texts
- News sourceOSV News — OSV News — Vatican coverage · Reporting and full-text transcripts
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