An estimated million young people gather in the outskirts of Rome for the Jubilee of Youth prayer vigil. Three of them ask him questions: about friendship, life choices, and encountering Jesus. By Joseph Tulloch Around a million young pilgrims gathered in Tor Vergata, on the outskirts of Rome, for the …

Over the first several weeks of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has staked out a deliberate perimeter of emphases that appears to encompass the dominant theme of his pontificate. The first stake in the ground was the choice of his name. Beginning with Pope St. Leo I—also known as Leo …

Pope Leo XIV releases his prayer intention for August, 2025, inviting us to pray “that societies avoid internal conflicts due to ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons” and encouraging us to “seek paths of dialogue” and “respond to conflict with gestures of fraternity.” By Christopher Wells “Let us pray that …

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Jul 31, 2025 / 10:41 am The Vatican has seen a boom in requests for blessings from the new pope, with at least a 30% increase during Leo XIV’s first month reflecting enthusiasm over the start of a new pontificate — and highlighting a traditional practice …

Pope Leo XIV appoints Fr Richard Anthony D’Souza, S.J., as Director of the Vatican Observatory. The astronomist succeeds Br Guy Consolmagno, S.J, whose 10-year mandate expires in September. By Vatican News  Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr Richard Anthony D’Souza, S.J., as Director of the Vatican Observatory. A statement released …

By Kristina Millare Vatican City, Jul 31, 2025 / 09:36 am Pope Leo XIV on Thursday approved the decision to declare St. John Henry Newman the 38th doctor of the universal Church. The decision to confer the title upon the 19th-century English saint — a former Anglican priest who converted to …

By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Jul 28, 2025 / 18:34 pm The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication reiterated its long-standing call for recognition of Palestine statehood amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict after France announced last week it would recognize the region’s statehood. The editorial manager for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, Andrea …

Pope Leo XIV writes to French guides and scouts partaking in the “Clameurs” Rally in Jambville, which concludes today, insisting that an ecological education is needed—one that addresses not only the loss of biodiversity but also global inequalities, the lack of drinking water, and the lack of access to energy …

By Tessa Gervasini Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 24, 2025 / 17:53 pm This week the White House released its plan for artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States, which aims “to achieve global dominance in AI” and promote “human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security for the American people.” The plan comes as …

Before leaving Castel Gandolfo this evening, Pope Leo XIV stopped to talk to some journalists, and answered some questions on international current affairs. By Vatican News “We must encourage everyone to leave weapons behind, and to leave behind the money-making that is behind every war.’ Those were the Pope’s words …