Pope Leo XIV

Chicago rabbi gifts Pope Leo XIV a White Sox kippah during Vatican visit

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and a native of Chicago’s South Side, repeatedly advocated after his selection last year for the release of the Israeli hostages.

A delegation of Chicago faith leaders meet with Pope Leo XIV on May 28, 2026.
Pope Leo XIV attends the presentation of his first Encyclical Letter "Magnifica Humanitas" focused on the rise of artificial intelligence, in The Vatican on May 25, 2026.

Pope Leo apologizes for Church's historic role in slavery

Marziyeh Amirizadeh.

Iran convert formerly sentenced to death tells ‘Post’ Pope brought ‘shame’ by honoring envoy

 Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as they meet at the Vatican, May 19, 2025.

Pope Leo meets Rubio amid growing tensions with Trump over Iran


Pope calls for 'deep reflection' in US about migrants' treatment under Trump

Pope Leo, originally from Chicago, told reporters that he was concerned about the way immigrants detained in Chicago were being denied holy communion.

Pope Leo XIV places a crown on the Madonna of Sinti, Roma and Walking Peoples during the audience of the Jubilee of the Roma, Sinti, and Travelling Peoples in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on October 18, 2025.

Calling Virgin Mary 'co-redeemer' is foolish, says Pope Leo

The Vatican's top doctrinal office instructed 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide not to refer to Mary as the "co-reedemer" of the world, arguing that Jesus alone was the savior.

The original statue of Our Lady of Fatima (Virgin Mary) is carried to St. Peter's square before the arrival of Pope Leo XIV to celebrate the Prayer Vigil and Rosary for Peace as part of the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality in the Vatican on October 11, 2025.

Pope Leo denounces antisemitism at anniversary of declaration on Catholic ties with Jews

The Pope reaffirmed the Catholic Church's stance against antisemitism during his speech at the ceremony commemorating 60 years of the Church's declaration of relations with non-Christian religions.

Pope Leo XIV attends an event called 'Walking Together in Hope' to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration Nostra Aetate on the Church’s relations with non-Christian religions in Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, October 28, 2025.

Pope Leo canonizes former Satanic priest Bartolo Longo as one of seven new saints

In front of an estimated 70,000 people, Leo canonized Bartolo Longo, who had once been an occultist priest but later denounced Satan and embraced Christianity.

Remains of Blessed Longo

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 Leo says he hopes Hamas will accept Trump's peace plan

Pope Leo praised Trump’s Gaza plan, urging Hamas to endorse it, while warning against violence as a Gaza aid flotilla nears Israel.

Pope Leo XIV gestures to the crowd as he tours St Peter's Square in the popemobile following a Holy Mass for the Jubilee of Catechists at the Vatican, September 28, 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.

Pope Leo: 'Really serious' ramifications may result from Doha strike

Multiple global leaders released comments regarding an Israeli strike that targeted Hamas officials in Qatar.

A damaged building, following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders, according to an Israeli official, in Doha, Qatar, September 9, 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.

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