Pope Leo’s Angelus Reflection for 1st Sunday of Lent
St Peter’s Square – Sunday, February 22, 2026
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
The devil then took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple.
He said, ‘If you are the Son of God throw yourself down; for scripture says: He will put you in his angels’ charge, and they will support you on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Scripture also says: You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
He said ‘I will give you all these, if you fall at my feet and worship me.’
Then Jesus replied, ‘Be off, Satan! For scripture says: You must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.’
Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him.
Dear brothers and sisters
Today, on the First Sunday of Lent.
The Gospel tells us that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, where he was tempted by the devil.
After fasting for forty days, he experienced the weight of his humanity: both physically, through hunger, and morally, through the devil’s temptations.
In this, he experiences the same struggle we all face on our journeys.
By resisting the devil, Jesus showed us how we can also overcome the devil’s deception and traps.
Through the Word of Life, the liturgy invites us to view Lent as a luminous path.
By means of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we can renew our cooperation with the Lord in the crafting of our lives as unique masterpieces.
This process involves allowing the Lord to cleanse the stains and heal the wounds of sin as we commit to letting our lives blossom into a life of beauty and love, the only source of true happiness.
In fact, this is a demanding journey.
There is always the risk of becoming discouraged or of being tempted by drawn to easier paths to satisfaction, such as wealth, fame and power.
Jesus faced these temptations, which are merely poor substitutes for the joy for which we were created.
Ultimately, they leave us feeling dissatisfied, restless and empty.
For this reason, St. Paul VI taught that penance enriches, purifies and strengthens our humanity, as we move toward a horizon with “love and surrender to God” as its aim.
In fact, Penance makes us aware of our limitations and grants us the strength to overcome them, allowing us to live in deeper communion with God and one another with His help.
During this time of grace, let us practice generous penance alongside prayer and works of mercy.
Create space for silence by turning off your television, radio, and cell phone. Meditate on the Word of God, approach the sacraments, and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to you in your heart.
Let us also listen to one another — in our families, workplaces and communities.
Let us dedicate time to those who are alone, especially the elderly, the poor and the sick.
By giving up what is superfluous, we can share what we save with those in need.
Then, as St. Augustine taught, our prayer offered in this way — “in humility and charity, by fasting and giving, by restraining ourselves and pardoning, by paying out good deeds and not paying back bad ones, by turning away from evil and doing good” (Sermons, 206, 3) — will reach Heaven and give us peace.
We entrust our Lenten journey to the Virgin Mary, our mother, who always helps her children through trials.
