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Author: Hannah Brockhaus
Pope Leo XIV looks out from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after his election on May 8, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican clarifies pope’s role ‘as universal shepherd’ in wake of US ambassador’s comments

“The pope normally speaks as a head of the Church,” papal expert Father Roberto Regoli told EWTN News.
David Willey, a longtime BBC correspondent who covered Rome and the Vatican for more than five decades, speaks with EWTN News in his home in Trevignano Romano, Italy, on Feb. 11, 2026. Willey died in Italy on July 11, 2026, at the age of 93. | Credit: Fabio Gonnella/EWTN News

BBC correspondent David Willey, longtime Vatican and papal chronicler, dies at 93

EWTN News spoke to the journalist in February about his more than 50 years covering the Vatican. David
A patient in rehabilitation walks down the hall of Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital. | Credit: Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital

Historic ‘pope’s hospital’ unites innovation with care to help sick children

The Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital — founded in 1869 — is made up of six facilities located across
Father Pier Luigi Stolfi, moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Rome. Pope Leo XIV appointed Stolfi on July 7, 2026, amid reform of the central organization of the diocese. | Credit: Cristian Gennari

Pope Leo XIV continues reform of Diocese of Rome with addition of leadership position

The appointment continues Leo’s reform of the Diocese of Rome, of which he is bishop, rolling back changes
The cover of Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis’ postsynodal apostolic exhortation on the family, in English, Italian, and Spanish. It was published and presented to the public on April 8, 2016. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News.

Vatican October meeting to focus on divorce, other family issues

Pope Leo XIV has called the presidents of bishops’ conferences to Rome Oct. 7–14 for a weeklong gathering
A cemetery on the Italian island of Lampedusa, where on July 4, 2026, Pope Leo XIV will visit the graves of migrants and refugees who died while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Crosses made from the wood of shipwrecked boats mark the graves of children. | Credit: Tiziana Fabi via Getty Images

Pope Leo XIV to spend July 4 with migrants on Italian island of Lampedusa

Only about 80 miles from Tunisia, Lampedusa is a main gateway for Africans escaping poverty and violence to
A restoration expert uses a laser to clean a Renaissance fresco in the Hall of Raphael in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace in 2021. | Credit: A. Prinzivalle/Vatican City State Governorate/Vatican Museums Directorate

Vatican begins 5-year, 5-million-euro restoration of Renaissance frescoes in Hall of Raphael

The conservation work marks “a pivotal moment both in the history of restoration and in the history of
Sister Alessandra Smerilli, FMA, was appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development by Pope Leo XIV on June 30, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News

Pope Leo XIV names nun, cardinal to succeed Cardinal Czerny at human development office

Sister Alessandra Smerilli, FMA, is the third woman in history to be nominated to lead a Vatican dicastery.
Statue of St. John the Baptist with golden cross, Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic. | Credit: Oldrich Barak/Shutterstock

‘Summer Christmas’: Why does the Church celebrate the birthday of St. John the Baptist?

Because it falls exactly six months before the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord, John the Baptist’s

Pope warns SSPX bishop ordinations risk deepening schism

The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) said it plans to consecrate four priests as bishops on July

Pope Leo XIV’s advice to priests: ‘Holiness cannot be lived in isolation’

The World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests takes place every year on the solemnity of

Pope calls on Catholic universities to be authentic, instill ‘passion for the truth’

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday addressed presidents and senior administrators from Catholic institutions belonging to the Association of
Pope Leo XIV on April 8, 2026, in St. Peter's Square. The pope presented his first encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas:' On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, at the Vatican on May 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Magnifica Humanitas: Pope invokes justice to combat ‘anti-human vision’ in AI

Published Monday, the pope’s new encyclical warns of a “culture of power” fueled by the digital revolution and

Pope Leo XIV: Nations must put common good ahead of particular interests

Though diplomacy and dialogue are essential for positive international relations, they must be accompanied by “a deeper conversion
Pope Leo XIV signed his first encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas:' On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, on May 15, 2026, the 135th anniversary of the encyclical 'Rerum Novarum' by Pope Leo XIII. 'Magnifica Humanitas' was released on May 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media. Image composition: EWTN News

Vatican to publish Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical May 25

The pope signed ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ (“Magnificent Humanity”) on May 15, the 135th anniversary of the publication of the

From Rerum Novarum to Today: Pope Leo XIV Prepares to Add His Voice to the Church’s Social Teaching

During his recent apostolic trip to Cameroon, the Pope called on Catholic university students from central Africa to

Vatican says SSPX faces excommunications for ‘schismatic’ bishop consecrations

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández said Pope Leo XIV is praying for the leaders of the Society of St.

Pope names U.S. Bishop Lopes to lead Australia’s Anglican ordinariate

The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross in Australia is one of three Anglican ordinariates.

Pope Leo names Father Andrea Ciucci chancellor of Pontifical Academy for Life

The Italian priest has served as the academyʼs secretariat coordinator since 2016. Pope Leo XIV on Friday appointed

Media narrative about nuncio’s Pentagon meeting untrue, Vatican says

The Vatican responded to a media report claiming Cardinal Christophe Pierre, then-papal envoy to the U.S., received “a

Augustinians See ‘Leo Effect’ After Pope’s Election

Father Joseph Farrell describes the Holy Father as a man of prayer, as systematic, and as having a

Pope Leo XIV welcomes ceasefire in Iran as ‘sign of living hope’

“Only through a return to negotiation can the war come to an end,” the pope said at the

Artemis II moon mission ‘a great development,’ Vatican Observatory director says

EWTN News speaks with Jesuit Father Richard A. D’Souza, director of the Vatican Observatory since September 2025. NASA’s
A solemn procession of cardinals and bishops carrying intricately woven palm fronds enters St. Peter’s Square during Palm Sunday celebrations in Vatican City, April 13, 2025. | Credit: Bénédicte Cedergren/EWTN

Here is Pope Leo XIV’s schedule for Holy Week and Easter 2026 at the Vatican

Palm Sunday marks the start of the one of the busiest and fullest liturgical periods of the year

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