VATICAN NEWS

Pope Leo XIV in Africa
Follow here for live updates of Pope Leo XIV’s journey to Africa from April 13–23.
Pope Leo XIV: Eucharist is 'indispensable for Christian life'
"It is through the Eucharist that even our hands become ‘hands of the Risen One'," the pope said.
Pope Leo XIV urges ceasefire, protection of civilians in war zones
On Divine Mercy Sunday, the pope prayed for Ukraine, Lebanon, and Sudan.
Pope Leo XIV at Vatican peace vigil: 'Enough of war!'
Prayer is "the most free, universal and disruptive response to death," the pope said in St. Peter's Basilica on Apr. 11.
Leo XIV and Macron meet: Peace is both a ‘duty and a requirement’
The two leaders expressed their common conviction on the necessity of dialogue and negotiations to resolve conflicts between nations.
Pope Leo names Father Andrea Ciucci chancellor of Pontifical Academy for Life
The Italian priest has served as the academy's secretariat coordinator since 2016.
Chaldean Catholic bishops meet Pope Leo as they prepare to elect new patriarch
The synod of Chaldean Catholic bishops is meeting in Rome this week to elect a new patriarch amid complex internal and national challenges.
Media narrative about nuncio’s Pentagon meeting untrue, Vatican says
The Vatican responded to a media report claiming Cardinal Christophe Pierre, then-papal envoy to the U.S., received “a bitter lecture” in a meeting with U.S. defense officials.
Churches worldwide join Pope Leo’s prayer vigil for peace on April 11 amid ongoing global conflicts
Bishops’ conferences in the United States, Mexico, the Philippines, Italy, and Spain have urged their faithful to join Pope Leo XIV on April 11 in praying for peace.
Pope Leo XIV: Sport must be a ‘space for encounter’
The pontiff addressed athletes from the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Christians must be messengers of peace this Easter, Comboni missionary says
Father Giulio Albanese, MCCJ, who has witnessed several atrocities of war firsthand, said today’s Christians cannot turn a blind eye to people’s sufferings.
Vatican urges Catholics not to leave Pope Leo XIV alone in opposing war
The Vatican Secretary of State said the pope’s appeals for peace need concrete support.
Pope will address tensions between Christianity and Islam in Africa, Nigerian bishop says
An Augustinian confrere of Pope Leo XIV discussed the pontiff’s upcoming trip to four African countries.
Pope Leo XIV welcomes ceasefire in Iran as ‘sign of living hope’
“Only through a return to negotiation can the war come to an end,” the pope said at the end of his weekly general audience.
Threat against entire people of Iran ‘not acceptable,’ Pope Leo XIV says
Attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international law and are also a sign of hatred, division, and destruction, Pope Leo XIV said. “Let’s come back to the table,” he said.
On Easter Monday, Pope Leo XIV remembers those ‘tormented’ by war: ‘The truth does not remain hidden’
Upon the recitation of the Regina Caeli, the pope also remembered Pope Francis, who died a year ago on Easter Monday.
Pope Leo XIV: Every vocation is a ‘path of beauty’
In a message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations titled “The Interior Discovery of God’s Gift,” the Holy Father reflects on the interior dimension of one’s vocation.
Pope Leo XIV announces April 11 peace vigil at St. Peter’s
In his first Easter message to the city and the world, the pontiff urged those with weapons to lay them down.
Pope at Easter: ‘May Christ, our Passover, bless us and give his peace to the whole world!’
On his first Easter as pontiff, Leo XIV urged Christians to bring the hope of the Resurrection into a world scarred by war, violence, and injustice.
At Easter Vigil, Pope Leo XIV calls for peace to ‘grow and flourish’ throughout the world
The ancient vigil “stretches across the centuries as a path of reconciliation and grace,” the pope said at the Vatican.
PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV carries the cross at the Via Crucis in the Colosseum
The pope personally carried the cross through every station of the Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Colosseum.
At the Colosseum, Pope Leo XIV urges the faithful to ‘live our lives as a journey’ in Christ’s love
The Holy Father carried the cross at the Roman amphitheater on Good Friday, the first time a pope has done so in several years.
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion in St. Peter’s Basilica
After the proclamation of the Gospel of John’s account of Christ’s passion, the papal preacher, Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, delivered a homily.
Pope speaks with Israeli and Ukrainian presidents amid conflicts in Holy Land, Ukraine
The pontiff discussed the ongoing wars and exchanged Easter greetings with the two presidents.
EWTN News explains: What are the Good Friday Reproaches?
The Good Friday Reproaches are a series of antiphons, known also as “Popule Meus” (“My People”), and come from the opening lines of the Latin text of the recitation.
PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV celebrates the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Vatican
Departing from Pope Francis’ custom of celebrating the liturgy in prisons or migrant centers, Leo celebrated the rite in the cathedral of Rome and washed the feet of 12 priests of the Diocese of Rome.
Pope Leo XIV: ‘Kneel down as brothers and sisters alongside the oppressed’
On Holy Thursday, the pontiff urged Catholics to imitate Christ’s service in a world marked by brutality.
PHOTOS: Holy Thursday chrism Mass at the Vatican
Chrism Mass includes the blessing of the holy oils that will be used throughout the year in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, and holy orders.
Pope says Christian mission counters ‘imperialist occupation of the world’
At the Holy Thursday chrism Mass, Leo XIV said the Church must reject domination, power, and “calculated strategy” in favor of humble service, unity, and peace.
Artemis II moon mission ‘a great development,’ Vatican Observatory director says
EWTN News speaks with Jesuit Father Richard A. D’Souza, director of the Vatican Observatory since September 2025.
Pope Leo’s personal secretary: ‘He hasn’t changed; he’s still the same’ since his time in Peru
Father Edgard Iván Rimaycuna described the pope’s unchanged personality and what his role as his personal secretary is like.
How does Pope Leo choose his monthly prayer intentions?
The head of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network offers a look behind the scenes.
Pope Leo on the dignity and mission of the laity: They are the body of Christ
The pope’s reflection at the general audience was inspired by the Second Vatican Council’s dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium.
Pope Leo makes Holy Week appeal to Trump, world leaders to end Iran war
The pope expressed hope that President Donald Trump is seeking a way to decrease violence in the Middle East.
This is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of April
In a video released on X, the Holy Father posed a question for the faithful: “Have you ever been in a crisis?”
Vatican official warns of ‘Christianophobia’ in Muslim world and secular West
A Nigerian archbishop said African missionaries can evangelize a Europe uneasy with its Christian past.
Vatican cancels 2026 World Children’s Day
Rome event set for Sept. 25–27 is scrapped as the Vatican says children’s pastoral initiatives should instead be held locally with families.
Leo XIV: The most difficult circumstances can be transformed by the power of love
In an audience with the Illinois Municipal League, the pontiff said that Gospel values can be applied to city government to the benefit of the most vulnerable and for the common good.
Vatican affirms future of Anglican ordinariates: ‘A precious gift and a treasure to be shared’
Bishop Steven Lopes welcomed a Vatican document as a significant encouragement, calling it “an exhortation to live this patrimony in all of its richness.”
Cardinal of Tehran prays in Rome for ‘end to violence’ in Persian Gulf
In the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome, Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan, on Monday evening stood in prayer for peace.
Pope names Vatican diplomats to key positions in Secretariat of State, papal household
Archbishop Paolo Rudelli is the new head of the general affairs section of the Secretariat of State and Archbishop Petar Rajič is the new prefect of the Papal Household.
Pope Leo XIV says God ‘does not listen’ to prayers of those who wage war
At Palm Sunday Mass and the Angelus following it, the pope prayed for Middle East Christians, victims of war, and migrants who died at sea off Crete.
Here is Pope Leo XIV’s schedule for Holy Week and Easter 2026 at the Vatican
Palm Sunday marks the start of the one of the busiest and fullest liturgical periods of the year for the Catholic Church and the Vatican.
PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV’s one-day trip to Monaco
The Holy Father met with the country’s royalty, addressed Catholic youth, and celebrated Mass at Louis II Stadium.
Pope Leo XIV at Monaco stadium Mass: Wars are ‘the result of the idolatry of power and money’
The Holy Father during his homily at Monaco’s Louis II Stadium urged the faithful to “not get used to the rumble of weapons or the images of war.”
Pope Leo XIV warns of a faith reduced to 'custom', asks for Church to reflect the love of God
The Holy Father urged Catholics in Monaco to "announce the Gospel of life, hope and love" and defend the dignity of human beings from birth to death.
Pope Leo XIV to youth of Monaco: 'Do not be afraid to give everything to God'
The Holy Father described the Monacan patron Saint Devota as "a courageous young woman who knew how to bear witness to her faith."
Read Pope Leo XIV’s homily to Catholics at Monaco’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The Holy Father arrived in Monaco as part of a one-day visit on March 28.
Pope Leo XIV tells Monaco: ‘It is the humble who shape history’
The pope’s whirlwind visit to Monaco began with a meeting with the country’s royal family and an address to the small city-state.
Pope Leo XIV visits Monaco
The Holy Father's one-day trip includes a meeting with the country's royal family along with a stadium Mass.