Pope

'A world that is ablaze': Pope Leo laments war, environmental destruction, in Ash Wednesday service

Before sprinkling ashes on the heads of participants, a sign of mortality, the pope said the ashes could represent "the weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war."

POPE LEO XIV puts ash on a faithful's head during the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome, Italy, February 18, 2026.
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Christmas Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, December 25, 2025.

Vatican says it will not participate in Trump's Gaza Board of Peace

Steve Bannon gestures during a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., February 20, 2025, in this still image taken from a handout video.

Steve Bannon attempted to work with Jeffrey Epstein against Pope Francis - CNN

Pope Leo XIV holds a baptism for Vatican City employees in the Sistine Chapel, January 11, 2026; illustrative.

Jesus gets a makeover as Sistine Chapel artwork undergoes restoration


Vatican returns to Canada artifacts connected to Indigenous people

Catholic missionaries sent the artifacts to Rome on the occasion of a 1925 exhibition held by Pope Pius XI that displayed more than 100,000 objects.

Pope Leo XIV performs a blessing during a meeting with the academic community of Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, Italy, November 14, 2025.

Vatican Swiss Guard member investigated over alleged antisemitic incident

The incident occurred during an event commemorating the 60th anniversary of a Church document encouraging interfaith dialogue.

Members of the Swiss Guard walk in the courtyard of San Damaso on the day Pope Leo XIV meets Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla during their first state visit to the Holy See since the Pope's election, at the Vatican, October 23, 2025

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.

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.