Vatican

Iran war opens new rifts between Washington, Europe, the Vatican, and Israel

Disputes over Iran, Lebanon, NATO, and diplomatic legitimacy are testing the cohesion of the Western alliance.

|ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE
US President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.
Pope Leo XIV walks as he leaves the papal residence to head back to the Vatican, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, March 31, 2026.

'I like his brother more': Trump slams Pope Leo over Iran nuclear issue, left-wing policies

Trump added that Pope Leo "should be thankful," as the only reason he had been elected to the Vatican was "because he was an American" who would be able to "deal with President Donald J. Trump."

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Pope Leo XIV delivers a homily during the Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 29, 2026.

Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars, says they have 'hands full of blood'

"This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war," Pope Leo, the first US pope, told crowds.

|ByREUTERS
Cardinals take part in the funeral of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square April 8, 2005 in Vatican City, Vatican.

The Israeli-Iranian handshake at Pope John Paul II's funeral

The custom at such international gatherings is to shake hands with the people on either side. Then-Israeli president Moshe Katsav was seen shaking hands with then-Iranian president Mohammad Khatami.

|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

Top Vatican cardinal says Israel carrying out massacre in Gaza

Cardinal Pietro Parolin also called the October 7 attacks "inhuman and indefensible" and urged Hamas to free remaining hostages.

OCTOBER 6, 2025ByREUTERS
The Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin looks on at the end of the Rosary for Pope Francis at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), following the death of the pontiff, in Rome, Italy, April 22, 2025.

Pope decries 'unacceptable' plight of Palestinians in Gaza, urges truce

"I express my deep closeness to the Palestinian people in Gaza," Pope Leo said.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025ByREUTERS
Pope Leo XIV holds a general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, September 17, 2025.

Pope Leo's meeting with Herzog reveals Vatican's new diplomatic style

Leo, who became the first US pontiff when he was elected in May, takes an approach that is more muted than his predecessor Pope Francis.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025ByREUTERS
Pope Leo XIV looks on, on the day of the weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican August 27, 2025

Italian teen made first millennial Catholic saint at youthful Vatican event

Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian boy who died aged 15, learned computer code to build websites to spread his faith.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025ByREUTERS
Pope Leo XIV leads a Holy Mass for the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian boy who will become the first millennial to be made a Catholic saint, and Pier Giorgio Frassati, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, September 7, 2025.

Italian teen to become first millennial Catholic saint on Sunday

Carlo Acutis, who died aged 15, learned computer code to build websites to spread his faith. His story has drawn wide attention from Catholic youth.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025ByREUTERS
People walk past a tapestry hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican depicting an image of Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian boy who will become the first millennial to be made a Catholic saint in a ceremony led by Pope Leo, as seen from Rome, Italy, September 4, 2025.

President Herzog presses Pope Leo XIV to help free Hamas hostages

“Tomorrow marks the 700th day since our brothers and sisters were kidnapped, 48 of whom are still in Gaza,” Herzog told the pontiff. “We must do everything to return them as quickly as possible.”

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025ByPESACH BENSON/TPS
President Isaac Herzog meets with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, September 4, 2025.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Meet Pope Leo XIV

President Isaac Herzog will visit the Vatican on Thursday to meet Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, focusing on hostages, antisemitism, and protecting Christians in the Middle East.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025ByTPS, REUTERS
Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd for the Angelus prayer in Piazza della Liberta (Liberty Square) in front of Palazzo Apostolico (Apostolic Palace) in the summer papal estate in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, Italy, July 13, 2025.

Grapevine, August 24, 2025: An OK Israeli

Movers and shakers in Israeli society

AUGUST 24, 2025ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
CULTURE AND Sport Minister Miki Zohar ponders his next move.

The brand that made porcelain for the Vatican and Titanic tiles launches in Israel

German brand Villeroy & Boch, known for Vatican porcelain and Titanic-surviving tiles, launches its FLEUR Dopamine collection in Israel – pastel floral designs blending luxury with everyday use.

AUGUST 21, 2025By GALA RAHMILEVICH
FLEUR Collection from Villeroy & Boch

Pope Leo meets Zelensky, offers to host Ukraine peace talks

Zelensky and Leo held talks in Castel Gandolfo, a small Italian hill town near Rome, where the pope is taking a two-week vacation.

JULY 9, 2025ByREUTERS
Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wave from a balcony during their meeting in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 9, 2025.