VATICAN NEWS

PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV meets royalty, civic leaders, hundreds of thousands of youth in Spain
The Holy Father launched his six-day trip to the European country with a whirlwind first day of diplomatic visits and meetings with societal leaders.
In Spain, Pope Leo XIV tells young people: 'You can change history, do it with love'
The pope spoke with hundreds of thousands of young people in Madrid on the first day of his six-day apostolic visit to Spain.
Women in the Vatican welcome Montserrat Alvarado as new prefect for communication
The Women in the Vatican Association strives "to create an increasingly constructive and fruitful network of knowledge, friendship, and solidarity among all members," according to its president.
Pope Leo XIV tells leaders in Spain that he comes to promote a national 'reconciliation'
The Holy Father met with King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and their daughters Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía after arriving in the European nation.
LIVE UPDATES: Pope Leo XIV in Spain — Madrid welcomes a pope after 15 years
Follow here for live updates of Pope Leo XIV’s journey to Spain from June 6–12.
10 things to know about the Catholic Church in Spain ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit
Pope Leo XIV will visit Spain from June 6–12, making stops in Madrid, Barcelona, the Canary Islands, and Tenerife.
Pope to German students: Your Catholic faith is a way of life, not a label
The Holy Father highlighted the principles guiding Catholic student associations in Germany — of which Pope Benedict XVI was also a member — religion, scholarship, friendship, and homeland.
Cardinal Koovakad to lead Sanremo meeting on interreligious dialogue
The October gathering follows a pastoral letter by Bishop Antonio Suetta on charity, Christian witness, and the proclamation of the Gospel to Muslims living in the diocese.
June consistory of cardinals will address synod, war, artificial intelligence
The gathering will function as "a space for mutual listening, discernment, and shared exploration of certain issue," Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said.
Pope Leo XIV accompanied him through his cancer battle. Now they will meet again in Madrid
After surviving cancer, a Spanish teen prepares to reunite with the pope who accompanied him through his illness.
Pope calls on Catholic universities to be authentic, instill ‘passion for the truth’
Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday addressed presidents and senior administrators from Catholic institutions belonging to the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.
Pope Leo XIV: We must rediscover signs and symbols of the sacred liturgy
The pontiff continued his catechesis on the Second Vatican Council's teaching on the liturgy during his weekly general audience.
This is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of June
“In times of war and extreme polarization, sport is one of the few things that bring us closer together,” the pope said in a video released on X on June 2.
U.S. Catholic charismatic leaders announce ecumenically-oriented evangelization initiative
The launch of "Evangelize USA" was announced following Pope Leo XIV's May 30 audience with members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service.
Pope Leo XIV appoints EWTN News president to lead Vatican communications department
Montserrat Alvarado becomes the first laywoman appointed prefect of a dicastery of the Holy See.
Pope Leo XIV highlights ‘key aspects’ of Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Pope Leo XIV encouraged members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal to pursue their mission by placing themselves at the service of dioceses and parishes.
Fulton Sheen’s missionary legacy hailed by Pope Leo XIV
The pontiff praised Venerable Sheen, who will be beatified Sept. 24, as “a light of faith, hope, and love” whose radio and television broadcasts brought the Gospel to millions.
‘Invisible, silent, misunderstood work’: The pope’s school for diplomats at 325 years
The Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome was founded in 1701 as a training ground for the pope's ambassadors.
Pope Leo XIV: The Trinity teaches that every creature is made for communion
At the Sunday Angelus, the pope prayed for “a just and lasting peace” as the Church closed a monthlong Marian appeal for countries ravaged by war.
Pope Leo XIV: Our world is more divided, but shared humanity unites us
The pontiff addressed members of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation on May 30.
Can wars still be just? Pope Leo XIV addresses the issue in Magnifica Humanitas
The destructive power of modern weaponry and dubious claims to justification mean just war theory, which includes legitimate self-defense, must be reexamined.
Pope receives Ferrari Luce steering wheel — Italian brand’s first fully electric car
A delegation from the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer met Pope Leo at Castel Gandolfo on May 26.
Pope Leo XIV to visit the Republic of San Marino on Aug. 22
The Holy Father will spend half a day in the microstate in north-central Italy before traveling around 14 miles northeast to the city of Rimini, Italy.
Pope Leo XIV meets with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
The pontiff met with Johnson at the Vatican on May 28 and was formally invited to visit his native city next year.
Leo XIV: Don’t water down Christianity
The pontiff said the Church must respond to religious indifference not by softening the Gospel’s demands but by offering credible witness to Christ.
Antoni Gaudí: A model of holiness and dialogue for Spain
Before Pope Leo’s visit to Barcelona, an architect and a priest discuss Antoni Gaudí's holiness and skill, which enabled him to envision Sagrada Família Basilica and transcend deep divisions in Spain.
Vatican offers pastoral support to promote Magnifica Humanitas
The pastoral aid kit includes summaries of key themes, questions for reflection, concrete cases, and prayers along with activities designed for children and young people.
Pope sets up commission to tackle $290 million debt at Padre Pio’s hospital
The hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, where the saint known as Padre Pio lived for most of his life, has debts estimated to run between about $290 million to $350 million.
Pope urges priests to respect ‘norms of the liturgy’ to avoid confusion at Mass
Pope Leo’s catechesis focused on the Second Vatican Council's constitution, “Sacrosanctum Concilium,” a document that transformed the way Catholics celebrate Mass.
Anthropic co-founder points to 3 ethical challenges of AI at Magnifica Humanitas presentation
Christopher Olah singled out the duty to the global poor, rediscovering and rethinking what it means to flourish as a human being and the need for discernment on the part of AI model developers.
Society of St. Pius X names priests to be consecrated bishops July 1
The SSPX named four priests to be consecrated as bishops without papal permission — despite a warning from the Vatican that the “schismatic” consecrations would incur excommunication.
Pope decries ‘drastic sterility,’ discrimination against motherhood in Europe
Leo addressed members of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Demography and others during a conference on the family and demographics.
From the Vatican to Australia: Sistine Chapel exhibit debuts in Sydney
The Vatican Museums and the Archdiocese of Sydney held a conference in Rome to launch the exhibition ahead of the 2028 International Eucharistic Congress.
When to say ‘no’ to AI in the classroom and at home: A key warning of Magnifica Humanitas
Pope Leo XIV issues a broad call to rethink what it means to educate people in the use of artificial intelligence and its implications, especially for young people.
Start here: 15 quotes from Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical Magnifica Humanitas
Pope Leo XIV just released his first encyclical — and it may be the most important Church document of our lifetime.
Pope Leo unveils his encyclical: AI has ‘even greater consequences’ than Industrial Revolution
The pope thanked Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah for his presence at the presentation: “What a great sign of hope it is that with our differences we can listen to one another.”
Tolkien, Beethoven, MLK Jr., and Hannah Arendt: The voices that resonate in Magnifica Humanitas
In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV draws on a broad range of cultural and philosophical figures for inspiration.
Full text of Magnifica Humanitas: Read Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical
The encyclical sets out the Church's social teaching for the age of artificial intelligence. Download and read the complete document.
Magnifica Humanitas: Pope invokes justice to combat ‘antihuman vision’ in AI
Published Monday, the pope’s new encyclical warns of a “culture of power” fueled by the digital revolution and artificial intelligence.
Leo XIV at Pentecost: The Spirit overcomes war with the omnipotence of love
The pontiff prayed that the Holy Spirit would save humanity from war, misery, and sin.
EWTN News explains: Why do popes issue papal documents and what are they?
Encyclicals, motu proprios, apostolic constitutions, and exhortations — here is a guide to some of the types of documents the pope uses to lead the Catholic Church.
In Italian region marred by toxic waste, Pope Leo XIV praises ‘beauty no injustice can erase’
The Holy Father on May 23 met with Church leaders and local residents at Acerra in Italy's "Land of Fires."
In Italy’s ‘Land of Fires,’ Pope Leo XIV laments ‘the cry of creation and the poor’
The Holy Father said Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si' is a framework for addressing the social and environmental crises of the region.
Why Catholics celebrate Mary as ‘mother of the Church’ the day after Pentecost
The Catholic Church celebrates the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church each year on the Monday after Pentecost. This year, it falls on May 25.
Pope Leo XIV discusses major challenges of EU and its future with European bishops
While the bishops proposed many possible topics for the meeting, the pontiff emphasized dialogue and peace as priorities. The pope also said migrants must be respected and needed services not denied.
Leo XIV authorizes beatification of 80 civil war martyrs ahead of his trip to Spain
In addition, the pope will declare four other religious from various countries as venerable.
Peace, unity, and AI: What Pope Leo’s messages reveal about his thought
Ahead of the publication of Leo's first encyclical, what do his writings and speeches, both before and after his election, reveal about his thought?
Czech cardinal reflects on martyrs under communism ahead of priest beatifications
The two priests were imprisoned and executed by the Czechoslovak communist regime because of its hatred of the Catholic faith, according to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
Pope to visit Italy’s ‘Land of Fires,’ victims of Mafia’s toxic waste dumping
Acerra and the surrounding territory has higher-than-average cancer rates, linked to the dumping, burning, and burying of toxic waste — the lucrative business of organized crime groups.
Pope encourages young man fearful of the future: ‘The love of Jesus will always accompany you’
Replying to a letter from a young man about to start college, Pope Leo offers him reassurance, encouragement, and fatherly advice about life and his future hopes and dreams.