Celestine is a saint who will always be remembered for the unique manner in which he was elected Pope, for his spectacular incompetence in that office, and for the distinction of being the first pontiff ever to have resigned. Pietro di Murrone was born in born 1215 in the Neapolitan province …

By Pope Leo XIV Vatican City, May 18, 2025 / 10:00 am Pope Leo XIV delivered the following homily at the Mass for the Initiation of the Petrine Ministry in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, May 18, after being elected the 266th successor of St. Peter on May 8. Dear Brother …

Our Editorial Director reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s call for the Church to be a leaven of unity and love in the midst of the restlessness and questions of our world. By Andrea Tornielli “I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I …

Pope Leo XIV presides at the Mass of Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry in Saint Peter’s Square, and invites the Church to walk together along the path of God’s love and remain united in one family. By Vatican News Greeting over 200,000 pilgrims, leaders from around the world, and representatives …

By Kristina Millare Vatican City, May 17, 2025 / 15:00 pm U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are among numerous international leaders and dignitaries, representing approximately 200 foreign delegations, who will attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass at the Vatican on Sunday, May 18. The global …

Join us live from St. Peter’s Square for the historic Eucharistic Celebration for the Start of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. At the end of the Mass the Holy Father will pray the Regina Caeli prayer.

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati joyfully celebrated the ordination of two new priests on Saturday May 17, 2025. The men were ordained to the priesthood for service to God and the Church. Archbishop Robert G. Casey celebrated the Mass. Within the course of the ordination rite, the archbishop invoked the authority …

The celebration marking the official beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate on May 18 is a solemn liturgy. The rite highlights the bond with the Apostle Peter and his martyrdom, which nurtured the nascent Church of Rome, and the significance of the “Petrine” episcopal insignia conferred upon the Pope: the …



Explore the traditions of this joyous time in pictures This article first appeared online in May 2018. Tradition of the first blessing Waiting to receive a blessing from a new priest is a longstanding ordination day tradition. After Mass, the new priests are greeted by their former seminary classmates, who …