May 20, 2025
News Vatican

Biography of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost

Prior to his election as Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. Here is the biography of the 267th Bishop of Rome. By Vatican News The first Augustinian Pope, Leo XIV is the second Roman Pontiff – after Pope Francis – from the Americas. Unlike Jorge Mario Bergoglio,

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Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb congratulates Pope Leo XIV

Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb congratulated, on Thursday Pope Leo XIV on his election as Pope of the Catholic Church. El Tayeb said that he is looking forward to continuing collaboration with the new Pope in strengthening interfaith dialogue and promoting the values of human fraternity, in pursuit of global peace, coexistence, and a

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Behold! The new pope! First American pontiff , takes the name Pope Leo XIV

By Fr. OKHUELEIGBE OSEMHANTIE AMOS In a moment of historic solemnity and global jubilation, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69 years old, from the United States of America, has been elected as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Emerging from the conclave held in the Sistine Chapel, he has taken the papal name

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SENEGAL: West African Bishops Open 5th RECOWA Plenary in Dakar, Call for a Synodal Church Serving Justice and Peace

By Paschal Norbert Over 130 Catholic bishops and cardinals from across West Africa are convening at the Grand Théâtre de Dakar for the 5th Plenary Assembly of the Reunion of Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (RECOWA), under the theme: “For a Synodal and Autonomous Church Serving Justice and Peace in West Africa.” The weeklong assembly,

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Pope Francis celebrated as bridge-builder by Lutheran leaders

The Lutheran World Federation’s General Secretary reflects on the late Pope Francis’ legacy of unity, inclusion, and reconciliation and describes his witness as a source of inspiration for believers worldwide. By Linda Bordoni As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, leaders from across the Christian spectrum are remembering him not only as the

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Sede Vacante and Jubilee: historical parallels with the Jubilee of 1700

The Sede Vacante during the 2025 Holy Year evokes historical parallels with the Jubilee of year 1700 which was also marked by the death of a Pope, Innocent XII, who died before the end of the Holy Year he had proclaimed. The Numismatics Department of the Vatican Library preserves a commemorative coin of that Sede

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The Popemobile of Peace: Pope Francis’ final gift to Gaza

Pope Francis requests that his popemobile be turned into a health clinic for the children of Gaza. By Francesca Merlo Pope Francis’ legacy of peace continues to shine in our conflict-ridden world. The closeness he showed to the most vulnerable during his earthly mission is radiating even after his death, and this most recent surprise

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‘Cardinals need prayers of the humble and little ones, each of us’

As the College of Cardinals requests prayers from all Catholics for their discernment for the next Pope, Dominican Fr. Sylvain Detoc recalls the power of the Church’s prayer, especially in moments when the Holy Spirit seeks to open up new horizons. By Delphine Allaire “Don’t forget to pray for me,” were the words with which

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UN Secretary General remembers Pope Francis

During a special commemoration remembering Pope Francis at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres praises the late Pontiff for always being ‘a voice of peace in a world of war,’ reminding us of our moral duties, and being a constant ‘messenger of hope.’ By Deborah Castellano Lubov In

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Editorial: Farewell to Pope Francis as pages of the Gospel turn in the wind

Our Editorial Director, Andrea Tornielli, offers his reflections on the final embrace of Pope Francis from the ends of the earth at his Requiem Mass in St. Peter’s Square. By Andrea Tornielli Twenty years ago on April 8, 2005, Karol Wojtyła, Pope St. John Paul II, passed away on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.

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