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Pope Leo XIV smiles during his first general audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 21, 2025.

LIVE UPDATES: Pope Leo XIV’s first days

May 23, 2025

By CNA Staff

Follow our live coverage as Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope in history, begins his pontificate. Read more

At his first general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 21, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appeals for peace and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where, he said, children and elderly are suffering.

Pope Leo XIV appeals for end to hostilities in Gaza in first general audience

Pope Leo XIV in the first general audience of his pontificate appealed for an end to hostilities in the Gaza... Read more

Italian Cardinal Baldassare Reina was created a cardinal by Pope Francis during the consistory at St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 7, 2024.

Leo XIV names Cardinal Reina chancellor of John Paul II marriage and family institute in Rome

May 20, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Leo XIV on Monday named Cardinal Baldassare Reina grand chancellor of the Pontifical Theological Institute John Paul II for... Read more

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seated in places of honor usually reserved for heads of state, meet with Pope Leo XIV in the papal library on May 19, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV meets U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio

May 19, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV and top Vatican... Read more

Pope Leo XIV waves during the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, held in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025. He stands in front of a Flemish tapestry depicting the dialogue between Jesus and Peter after the miraculous catch of fish.

A papacy begins: Pope Leo XIV calls for united Church at inaugural Mass

May 18, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, began his papacy with a richly-symbolic inaugural Mass, celebrated at the Vatican before... Read more

A cropped version of the official portrait of Pope Leo XIV, published by the Vatican on May 10, 2025.

Powerful symbols: Vatican releases Pope Leo XIV’s official portrait and signature

May 10, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The Vatican has released Pope Leo XIV’s signature, which includes the traditional “P.P.” (“Pastor Pastorum”) notation not used by Francis. Read more

Pope Leo XIV addresses the College of Cardinals at the Vatican on May 10, 2025. The newly elected pontiff outlined his vision for his papacy in his first official meeting.

Pope Leo XIV shares vision for papacy in age of artificial intelligence

May 10, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Pope Leo XIV explained his choice of name and the Church’s social teaching in the face of artificial intelligence and... Read more

Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo stands outside St. Peter’s Square after the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.

Cardinal Bustillo: Pope Leo XIV will be ‘bold and solid’ leader for the Church

May 10, 2025

By Marco Mancini

Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo said the conclave was guided by the Holy Spirit with “freedom and trust,” resulting in Pope Leo... Read more

Cardinal Rainer Woelki arrives at the Vatican on March 5, 2013.

German cardinal on American pope: ‘I didn’t expect it’ but hope for synodality clarity

May 10, 2025

By Martin Bürger

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne speaks about what surprised him about the conclave, praising Pope Leo XIV’s “warmth and... Read more

Pope Leo XIV gives the homily at Mass with the cardinale electors in the Sistine Chapel on May 9, 2025.

FULL TEXT: Pope Leo XIV’s homily at Mass with the cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel

May 9, 2025

By Pope Leo XIV

“You have called me to carry that cross, and to be blessed with that mission, and I know I can... Read more

Pope Leo XIV is seen flanked by cardinals at St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after his election, Thursday, May 8, 2025.

LIVE UPDATES: First key dates of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate announced

May 9, 2025

By CNA Staff

LIVE UPDATES: First Mass of Pope Leo XIV Read more

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected as 267th pope, takes name Leo XIV

May 8, 2025

By AC Wimmer

White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:09 p.m. Rome time on Thursday, signaling that the... Read more

Black smoke billows from the chimney at 11:53 am local time over St. Peter’s square on May 8, 2025.

Black smoke rises from Sistine Chapel as Thursday morning voting concludes without a pope

May 8, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The plume of dark smoke indicates that the 133 cardinal electors sequestered inside the chapel have not reached the required... Read more

Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

How Pope Francis shaped the College of Cardinals

May 4, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Of the 133 cardinals with the right to vote in this conclave, 108 were created by Pope Francis and therefore... Read more

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri celebrates Mass on the fifth day of Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Cardinal on fifth day of Novendiales says pope should be servant leader 

Apr 30, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Soon, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri said, the cardinal proto deacon will announce to the Church and the world the “‘gaudium magnum’... Read more

Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

LIVE UPDATES: Cardinals celebrate fifth Novendiales Mass, ask for prayers for conclave

Apr 30, 2025

By CNA Staff

Follow here for live updates of the latest news regarding the upcoming papal conclave. Read more

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, archbishop of Cologne in Germany.

Cardinal Woelki expects longer papal conclave than swift election of Pope Francis

Apr 30, 2025

By Martin Bürger

“I expect it won’t go as quickly as the last conclave. But maybe I’ll be proven wrong. I would be... Read more

Detail from St. Catherine of Siena from the circle of Baldassare Francheschini (17th century).

Pope Francis’ praise for St. Catherine of Siena

Apr 29, 2025

By Courtney Mares

The late pope sent a telegram marking the 560th anniversary of the saint’s canonization in 2021 calling her “a great... Read more

Cardinal Baldassare Reina celebrates Mass on Day 3 of the Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis on April 28, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

‘Discern and order’: Cardinal calls for continuation of Pope Francis’ reform path

Apr 28, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday, the 54-year-old vicar general for the Diocese of Rome described how the faithful... Read more

Statue of St. Peter on St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

May 7 papal conclave date finalized as cardinals prepare for election

Apr 28, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The Vatican announced Monday that the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7, as the Church... Read more