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USA

“I’m not a fan of Pope Leo”: Trump criticises pontiff over Iran comments

US President Donald Trump criticised Pope Leo XIV following comments on the Iran conflict, calling him “very liberal” and saying he was “not a fan” of the pontiff.

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Pope Leo XIV urges immediate ceasefire as Israel-Hezbollah clashes rage

Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire on Sunday as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues, urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilians.

Europe News

'Enough of war!' says Pope Leo XIV who grows increasingly frustrated

Leaders have used religion to defend their actions in the war. US officials, especially Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, have spoken about their Christian faith and described the US as a Christian nation fighting its enemies.

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Emmanuel Macron meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican to discuss global tensions

France’s President Emmanuel Macron met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Friday, marking their first official talks and signalling renewed dialogue between France and the Holy See at a time of rising global tensions.

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Europe News

France's Macron and Pope Leo XIV hold first meeting at the Vatican

Macron's visit to Rome notably excluded any meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Elysée defined the visit as "republican and secular" with no bilateral political meetings with the Italian government planned.

Vatican

Pentagon denies threatening Vatican over pope's remarks on Iran war

Pentagon and Vatican envoys have both denied reports that US officials gave the Holy See's ambassador to the US a "bitter lecture," demanding the Church align with the Trump administration over Pope Leo XIV's criticism of the Iran war.

USA

Ceasefire offers Trump exit as Iran war becomes political liability

The ceasefire deal with Iran might come at the right moment for Donald Trump, as it could stop the erosion of domestic support for the President. But Trump is left facing scrutiny over why and for what did the US get into war.

World News

Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in first Easter blessing as pontiff

In his first Easter blessing, Pope Leo XIV urged "those who have the power to unleash wars" to "choose peace" as Christians around the world celebrate Easter Sunday.

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Pope Leo XIV carries cross through all 14 stations at Rome’s Colosseum

Italy witnessed a rare and highly symbolic Good Friday ceremony on 3 April as Pope Leo XIV carried a wooden cross through all 14 stations of the Way of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum, the first time in decades that a pope has performed the full rite in person.

Italy

Pope Leo XIV bares cross for full Good Friday procession

Pope Leo XIV marked his first Good Friday by becoming the first pontiff in decades to personally carry the wooden cross for all 14 stations at the Colosseum.

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From the Chrism Mass to the washing of the feet: Pope Leo’s first Easter season begins

Pope Leo XIV begins his first Easter as pontiff by washing priests’ feet, following a tradition previously used by Pope Francis, while warning against domination in a troubled world.

Vatican

Palm Sunday, Pope Leo XIV: 'God does not hear the prayers of those who wage war'

The Pontiff celebrated Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter's in the presence of tens of thousands of faithful. During the Angelus he returned to call for a stop to the war in the Middle East and addressed a thought to the migrants who died at sea off Crete

Monaco

Pope Leo XIV urges Monaco to use wealth 'for good' in historic visit

Pope Leo XIV urged residents of the wealthy principality of Monaco to use their resources to promote good in the world. The pontiff became the first head of the Catholic church to visit the territory since Pope Paul III in the 16th century.

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In historic Monaco visit, Pope Leo XIV calls for justice and peace

Pope Leo XIV makes first papal visit to Monaco since 1538, urging the wealthy microstate to use its influence for justice, peace and the common good.

World News

Pope Leo XIV visits Munich for the first time in almost 500 years

The Pope will be in the Principality of Monaco on Saturday for a symbolic visit that marks the return of a Pontiff after almost five centuries. At the centre, the role of small states in international dialogue, the 'defence of life' and global issues such as war, diplomacy and cooperation

Culture news

Pope Leo XIV: 'No change in Church doctrine on gays and trans people'

The Pontiff has dismissed any immediate prospect of change in the Vatican's stance on LGBT+ rights. It's one of many views he's discussed openly with Vaticanist Elise Ann Allen that are contained in a new book "Pope Leo XIV - The Biography."

Tech News

Vatican to use AI to translate Mass in 60 languages

"We wish to serve the mission that defines the centre of the Catholic Church, universal by its very vocation," said Cardinal Mauro Gambetti.

The Cube

Did the pope really snub Emmanuel Macron over Notre-Dame's windows?

A clash over Notre Dame's windows and a proposed assisted-dying law are among the alleged reasons Pope Leo XIV did not want to see the French president.

Spain

Spanish government and bishops agree plan to compensate abuse victims

Only a handful of countries have had government-initiated or parliamentary inquiries into sexual abuse by the clergy, although some independent groups have carried out their own investigations.

Vatican

Pope Leo XIV closes the Holy Door at St Peter's to end Jubilee year

Pope Leo XIV closed the 2025 Holy Year by denouncing consumerism and anti-foreigner sentiment, after 33 million Catholic pilgrims visited Rome. He urged Christians to welcome strangers and pursue peace.

Robert Francis Prevost, 69, has become the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and he will be known as Leo XIV. Leo XIV is the second Roman Pontiff - after Pope Francis - from the Americas.