St. John Henry Newman, a British-born scholar who dedicated much of his life to the combination of faith and intellect at universities, is pictured in an undated portrait.

Pope Leo will declare St. John Henry Newman doctor of the church Nov. 1

by Cindy Wooden September 28, 2025September 28, 2025

Pope Leo XIV announced he will proclaim St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the church Nov. 1 during the Jubilee of the World of Education.

Vatican Dispatch

Pope Leo makes a surprise pick for his first major Vatican appointment

by Gerard O’Connell September 26, 2025September 26, 2025

In his first major appointment to the Roman Curia, Pope Leo XIV surprised most people in the Vatican by appointing the Italian archbishop Filippo Iannone, 67, a member of the Carmelite Order, as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

Vatican Dispatch

How Pope Leo plans to govern the church: From Rome to China to Gaza

by Gerard O’Connell September 18, 2025October 9, 2025

Pope Leo raised the question of genocide in Gaza and spoke about how he intends to engage with China over the coming years in his first major interview.

Vatican Dispatch

Pope Leo expresses his ‘profound closeness’ to the people of Gaza as Israeli ground invasion begins

by Gerard O’Connell September 17, 2025September 17, 2025

Palestinians in Gaza “continue to live in fear and survive in unacceptable conditions, forced once again to leave their lands,” Leo said to applause at the end of his weekly general audience on Sept. 17.

Pope Leo XIV sits with journalist Elise Allen during their July 30, 2025 interview at the Vatican's Palazzo Sant'Uffizio.

Vatican Dispatch

Pope Leo calls out billionaires and income inequality in first interview

by Gerard O’Connell September 14, 2025September 15, 2025

In his first major interview, Pope Leo XIV denounces “useless killing” in Ukraine and promotes synodality as the solution to rising global polarization.

Vatican Dispatch

Pope Leo receives credentials of U.S. ambassador to the Holy See

by Gerard O’Connell September 13, 2025September 13, 2025

The new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, presented his credentials to Pope Leo XIV this morning, Sept. 13, 2025.

A person holds up an artwork on the day Pope Leo XIV leads the canonization Mass of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian boy who will become the first millennial to be made a Catholic saint, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sept. 7, 2025. (OSV News/Matteo Minnella, Reuters)

Vatican Dispatch

Pope Leo XIV declares Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati saints in a celebration of youthful devotion

by Gerard O’Connell September 7, 2025September 7, 2025

At the first canonization ceremony of his pontificate, Leo XIV described Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati as ”both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him.”

Vatican Dispatch

Pope Leo and Israel’s president discuss ‘tragic situation in Gaza’ in private audience

by Gerard O’Connell September 4, 2025September 4, 2025

Pope Leo and top diplomatic advisors spoke with Israeli President Herzog about the “tragic situation in Gaza,” the urgent need for ceasefire and a two-state solution as the “only way out of the current war.”

Pope Leo, seated, speaks at a microphone

Vatican Dispatch

Israeli president Herzog to visit Pope Leo at Vatican

by Gerard O’Connell September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

President Herzog’s visit comes at a very delicate political moment, as Israeli forces have laid siege to Gaza City in an attempt to take full control of it and have already reduced parts of it to rubble.