Journalists have an “essential” task that has become “even more urgent and delicate” today, Pope Leo said, which is that of “verifying news so as not to become a mouthpiece for those in power.”
Gerard O’Connell
Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Pope Leo to warring nations in the Middle East: ‘Cease fire!’
In an address to thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at midday on Sunday, March 15, Pope Leo called for a ceasefire in the war in the Middle East.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Why the Jesuits are going all in on training Catholics for synodality
The Society of Jesus has started an ambitious transcontinental project linked to synodality. Its aim is to form diocesan priests, women and men religious and lay people in countries across the globe to accompany the discernment processes in the synodal journey of local churches.
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Pope Leo names close friend and fellow Augustinian as Vatican’s chief of charity
In a significant appointment to the Roman Curia, Pope Leo has chosen the Spanish-born Augustinian bishop Luis Marín de San Martín, 64, to be the new prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, or papal almoner, and raised him to the rank of archbishop.
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Pope Leo praises heroic action of priest killed by Israeli tank fire in Lebanon
Pope Leo called Father Pierre al-Rahi, who rushed to help parishioners wounded by Israeli fire, “a true shepherd, who always stayed beside his people, with the love and sacrifice of Jesus the Good Shepherd.”
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Pope Leo calls for a stop to ‘the thunderous sound of bombs’ in the Middle East
Pope Leo XIV again called for a stop to “the thunderous sound of bombs” in Iran and the Middle East, for the guns to “fall silent” and for the opening of “a space for dialogue” to find a way out of this latest conflict in the region.
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Pope Leo appoints Archbishop Caccia as nuncio to the United States
Archbishop Caccia’s appointment comes at a turbulent time in world affairs, as the United States and Israel wage war against Iran—a conflict now in its eighth day that appears to be expanding.
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Pope Leo urges a halt to ‘spiral of violence’ across Iran and Middle East
Pope Leo prayed that “diplomacy may regain its role and promote the good of the peoples who yearn for a peaceful coexistence founded on justice.”
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Pope Leo calls for ‘an immediate ceasefire’ to the war in Ukraine
“Let the weapons fall silent, let the bombings cease, let an immediate ceasefire be reached, and let dialogue be strengthened to pave the way toward peace,” he said.
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Pope Leo sends greetings for the Lunar New Year
Pope Leo XIV prayed that the Lunar Year celebrations may “strengthen family ties” and “bring peace to homes and society.”