The lambs — carried in baskets dressed in white with red roses for St. Agnes’ virginity and martyrdom — were later blessed in the Mausoleum of Constantina.

The Holy Father’s message was published ahead of the March for Life being held in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23. This is set to be the 53rd year the annual pro-life observance has drawn hundreds of thousands of people to the nation’s capital.

Pope Leo XIV blesses two lambs in the Urban VIII Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 21, 2026, the feast of St. Agnes. The lambs are bound and placed in baskets to prevent them from running away. The wool from the lambs is used for the pallium worn by archbishops. (CNS photos/Vatican Media)

According to Cardinal Ambongo, the theme was chosen in response to the persistent crises affecting many African nations, particularly in the Great Lakes region.

Pope Leo XIV received the leaders of the Neocatechumenal Way — including Kiko Argüello, who along with the late Carmen Hernández founded the apostolate — and members of the international team, María Ascensión Romero and Father Mario Pezzi, in an audience at the Vatican on Monday.

Pope Leo XIV has consoled families of Italian teenagers killed or injured in the Swiss bar fire at a New Year's party

While Mark Pope’s Kentucky has been able to get its season back on track with four consecutive wins, the same can’t be said about its luck with injuries. The team has already lost Jaaland Lowe for the entire season due to a shoulder injury,