NESCOM, Guwahati | 14 February 2026
Pope Leo XIV has formally abolished the Pontifical Committee for the World Children’s Day through a chirograph published on 13 February 2026, marking a structural change in the organization of the global ecclesial event.
The Committee had been established in November 2024 by Pope Francis to oversee the “ecclesial animation and pastoral organization” of World Children’s Day. Conceived along the lines of World Youth Day, the initiative gathers thousands of children from across the world for moments of prayer, music, and testimony in Rome.
Last August, the Committee’s status was modified and placed under the authority of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life. With the new chirograph, Pope Leo has now completely suppressed the Committee and transferred full responsibility for the event to the Dicastery.
According to the document, the Dicastery will assume all matters previously handled by the Committee. The Holy Father stated that the decision follows the direction set by the August 2025 rescript and aims to promote greater synergy and more effective coordination in carrying forward the initiative.
The chirograph also revokes the founding document and statutes of the Committee, along with any acts and regulations it had adopted. These measures cease to have legal effect in both canonical and civil contexts. Consequently, the president, vice president, and all members of the Committee immediately conclude their mandates.
The Prefect of the Dicastery, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will oversee the settlement of pending matters and present a final liquidation report to the Secretariat for the Economy, including recommendations regarding remaining assets.
Despite the structural change, World Children’s Day will continue. The second edition is scheduled to take place in Rome from 25 to 27 September 2026, as previously announced.
The inaugural celebration was held on 25 May 2024 at Rome’s Olympic Stadium, drawing more than 50,000 children and adolescents from various countries, including regions affected by conflict.