Pope

Jesus gets a makeover as Sistine Chapel artwork undergoes restoration

The Vatican announced that Michelangelo’s Last Judgment will undergo its first restoration in 30 years, while the Sistine Chapel remains open to visitors.

Pope Leo XIV holds a baptism for Vatican City employees in the Sistine Chapel, January 11, 2026; illustrative.
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai receives a chalice from Pope Leo XIV (R) at a Holy Mass during the pope’s first apostolic journey, in Beirut, on December 2.

Voices from the Arab press: Pope Leo and the Shi'ites

Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd during a meeting with bishpops, priests consacrated persons and personal workers at the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, northeast of the capital Beirut, on December 1, 2025.

'A just and lasting peace': Pope Leo calls for dialogue after meeting Ukraine's Zelensky

 Pope Leo XIV holds a Jubilee audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of Sport, at St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican June 14, 2025.

Pope Leo scraps Francis’s Vatican fundraising panel amid budget shift


Pope appalled, purification completed after man pees on St. Peter's Basilica's high altar

The unidentified man was arrested by two officials and was filmed exposing his behind while bending to pull up his trousers.

A view of the statue of Saint Peter and St. Peter's Basilica on the day of a weekly general audience, at the Vatican, September 24, 2025.

Pope Leo to visit Turkey, Lebanon in November in first trip abroad

Leo had been expected for months to travel to Turkey for his first trip abroad, but the additional visit to Lebanon only emerged in discussions in recent weeks.

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

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

'Please say you will go': Madonna begs Pope Leo to save Gazan children

Madonna explained that she isn't taking sides in the war, adding, "Everyone is suffering, including the mothers of the hostages. I pray that they are released as well."

US singer songwriter Madonna arrives for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York.

Pope Leo calls for end to 'barbarity of war' after strike on Gaza church

Speaking after his Angelus prayer, Leo read out the names of those killed in the inciden

 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.

Pope Leo, in first month, makes a break in style from Francis - analysis

"Leo is taking his time," Rev. Mark Francis, told Reuters. "While he is going to continue in the path indicated by Pope Francis, his disposition is very different."

 Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the Unites States looks on from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025.

Jewish mysticism: Did hassidic masters use the Pope Joan legend to heal?

If the Pope Joan narrative is mystically powerful, and telling the tale of that narrative is also potent, then recounting the story of the tale of the narrative might alleviate the pain.

 POPE JOAN with the papal tiara, illustrated manuscript, c. 1560, Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Personal trainer shocked to learn his client became Pope Leo XIV

Masella recalled, "I trained the future pontiff—it's incredible, but to me, he was just another client".

 Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025.

Herzog meets with JD Vance, Pope Leo XIV at inauguration in Vatican City

Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass was on Sunday. Ahead of it, Herzog highlighted his family's ties to diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

 US Vice President JD Vance and Israeli President Isaac Herzog

Voices from the Arab press: Historic election opens new page in the Vatican

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world/

 Cardinals attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, April 26.