Nov 30 Pope calls on Lebanese leaders to be true peacemakers as he seeks to bring message of hope By Nicole Winfield, Abby Sewell, Associated Press Pope Leo XIV challenged Lebanon’s political leaders on Sunday to be true peacemakers and put their differences aside, as he sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope and bolster a crucial Christian community in the Middle East. Continue reading
Nov 29 Pope visits Istanbul's Blue Mosque without praying as he focuses on Christian unity By Nicole Winfield, Andrew Wilks, Suzan Fraser, Associated Press Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul’s iconic Blue Mosque on Saturday but didn't stop to pray, as he focused more on bolstering ties with Orthodox patriarchs and promoting courageous steps for Eastern and Western churches to be united. Continue reading
Nov 28 Pope joins Eastern and Western patriarchs at historic Christian site in Turkey to pray for unity By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press The prayer marked the highlight of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Turkey and the main reason for his trip, the first of his pontificate. Continue reading
Nov 27 Pope Leo XIV encourages Turkey to be a force for stability and peace as he opens first foreign trip By Nicole Winfield, Suzan Fraser, Serra Yedikardes, Andrew Wilks, Associated Press The American pope emphasized a message of peace as he arrived in Ankara, welcomed on the tarmac by a military guard of honor and at the presidential palace by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Continue reading
Nov 25 Pope Leo's visit rekindles hope in war-battered Lebanon By Kareem Chehayeb, Abby Sewell, Associated Press The upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon has rekindled a glimmer of hope for many in the small, crisis-battered country. Continue reading
Nov 23 Pope calls on kidnappers to free 265 Nigerian students and teachers after 50 pupils escape By Chinedu Asadu, Associated Press Fifty of the 303 schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic school in north-central Nigeria’s Niger state have escaped captivity and are now with their families, the school authority said Sunday, as the pope called for the immediate release of those still missing. Continue reading
Nov 19 Zelenskyy asks Vatican to formalize mediation role for return of Ukrainians taken by Russia By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Ukraine has asked the Vatican to formalize its role facilitating negotiations for the return of Ukrainian children and civilians taken by Russia during the war. Continue reading
Nov 05 Pope Leo calls for 'deep reflection' about treatment of detained migrants in the United States By Associated Press Speaking outside the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, he addressed various geopolitical issues, including U.S. military actions off Venezuela and the fragile truce in the Middle East. He noted that military actions are increasing tensions and urged dialogue. Continue reading
Oct 23 King Charles prays with Pope Leo in historic visit to the Vatican By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press King Charles III and Queen Camilla have visited the Vatican to pray with Pope Leo XIV. This historic meeting aims to strengthen ties between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. Continue reading
Oct 16 On World Food Day, Pope Leo condemns use of hunger as weapon of war By Giada Zampano, Associated Press Pope Leo XIV has denounced the use of hunger as a weapon of war during an address to a U.N. agency. Continue reading