Pope Leo XIV marked the 34th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence day—Aug. 24—by sending a message to the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and by telling pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square that he joined Ukrainians in asking the Lord “to grant peace to their martyred country.” Ukraine gained its independence from the former Soviet Union on Aug. […]
Pope Leo XIV
Posted inThe Weekly Dispatch
Be like Pope Leo: Take all your vacation days—without guilt
By getting out of Rome for vacation at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo sets a good example, especially for us Americans.
Posted inNews
Pope Leo’s first international trip could be to Lebanon, cardinal says
The Mediterranean nation of around 6 million, including more than 1 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees, has the largest percentage of Christians in the Middle East and is the only Arab country with a Christian head of state.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Pope Leo sets Friday as day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine and the Holy Land
The pope issued his appeal at the end of his public audience in the Vatican on Wednesday, as efforts are underway to bring a ceasefire in Gaza and broker a peace accord between Ukraine and Russia.
Posted inNews
Pope Leo calls on faithful to pray and fast for peace in Holy Land and Ukraine this Friday
“I ask all the faithful to spend Aug. 22 in fasting and prayer, asking the Lord to grant us peace and justice and to dry the tears of those who suffer because of the armed conflicts underway.”
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
How will Pope Leo lead the church? Clues from his first 100 days
Just over 100 days after the election of Pope Leo, it remains difficult to determine his governing priorities. Yet some early impressions of his personal style are beginning to emerge, along with a few central themes that are likely to shape his pontificate and its approach to evangelization.
Posted inNews
Pope Leo’s brother and friends will mark his 70th birthday with prayer—and pizza
Pope Leo XIV turns 70 on Sept. 14 and some of his closest friends in the Chicago-area will mark the day with him in mind, quietly.
Posted inNews
Pope Leo to Amazon bishops: Proclaim the Gospel, fight injustice, defend nature
Efforts to serve, defend and build up the Catholic community in the Amazon region must be centered on the proclamation of the Gospel, Pope Leo XIV said.
Posted inNews
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for local homeless people, invites them to lunch at summer villa
Pope Leo XIV spent the last Sunday of his summer vacation with several dozen refugees, homeless and poor people and the church volunteers who help them.
Posted inFaith in Focus
A pilgrimage to Pope Leo’s childhood home
One Jesuit’s encounter with a cop, a cat and several fellow Catholics in search of a connection to the first American pontiff.