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Pope Leo XIV rides through St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 21, 2025, before holding his first weekly general audience. (CNS/Lola Gomez)
Vatican News

In his second week, Pope Leo moves on his ambitious agenda

Vatican

As Pope Leo settles into the job, he signals what's ahead for the new papacy, taking action on the vision he sketched out in a 500-word speech.

The Latest

With Laudato Si', Pope Francis firmly planted ecology into Catholic social teaching

Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

The work goes on: Sisters in immigration hope Leo continues Francis' advocacy

Dan Stockman

A weariness inhabited by God

Editors' Choice

Focus

Then-Bishop Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, stands in floodwaters in the Chiclayo Diocese in the aftermath of heavy rains in northwestern Peru in March 2023, in this screenshot from a video by Caritas Chiclayo (NCR screengrab/Caritas Chiclayo)

In Focus

'A pope in muddy boots': Viral photos of Leo XIV reveal a history of pastoral care

Photos of "a pope in muddy boots" began circulating on social media shortly after Cardinal Robert Prevost was introduced as Pope Leo XIV. The story behind the images tells of a pastor in close kinship with his community.

Most Read Stories

Then-Bishop Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, stands in floodwaters in the Chiclayo Diocese in the aftermath of heavy rains in northwestern Peru in March 2023, in this screenshot from a video by Caritas Chiclayo (NCR screengrab/Caritas Chiclayo)

#1
'A pope in muddy boots': Viral photos of Leo XIV reveal a history of pastoral care

Photos of "a pope in muddy boots" began circulating on social media shortly after Cardinal Robert Prevost was introduced as Pope Leo XIV. The story behind the images tells of a pastor in close kinship with his community.

ByBrian Roewe
The fisherman's ring — the pope's signet — is seen on the right hand of Pope Benedict XVI as he celebrates Mass in Havana, Cuba, March 28, 2012. When a pope dies or resigns the ring is destroyed in a special ceremony, usually carried out in private. (CNS/Catholic Press Photo/Alessia Giuliani)

#2
Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV: An explainer of symbols and rituals

On Sunday morning, May 18, a Mass for the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV will take place in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Although the Mass is no longer described as an "enthronement," it is full of rich symbolism.

ByCamillo Barone
People hold placards during a protest in Mumbai, India, April 12, 2023, against what they claim are attacks on the Christian community, churches and institutions across India. (OSV News/Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas)

#3
Catholic nuns face increasing hostility in India

"These incidents are clear indications that we need a lot of precaution before doing any missionary work, unlike in the past when we could do it fearlessly," said Sr. Jaisa Antony.

BySaji Thomas

#4
Those who've worked with Pope Leo XIV are optimistic he'll elevate women's roles — with limits

#5
Early reactions to Pope Leo XIV may mislead or distort understanding

#6
Jerusalem patriarch, back in Holy Land, reflects on conclave, 'inconceivable' Gaza situation

Opinion

Behold the sheer incompetence of Trump's Cabinet

What Pope Leo XIV can learn from Francis' legacy of dialogue with Islam

Guest Voices
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, April 30, 2025. (OSV News/Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)

Trump's 'big beautiful bill' will wreak havoc on American families

NCR Voices

This "big beautiful bill" is big, but it isn't beautiful. It is unfair, cutting programs that help struggling families, to provide tax cuts to rich people who don't even need it.

Pope Leo XIV gives his own personal spin to Vatican foreign policy

Guest Voices

Pope Benedict XVI's election was 1st conclave NCR covered in a digital age

NCR Voices
Someone holds a placard with an image of Pope Leo XIV on the day of a Mass at the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Chiclayo in Peru May 10, 2025, celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV May 8 at the Vatican. The new pope was bishop of Chiclayo between 2015 and 2023. (OSV News/Reuters/Sebastian Castaneda)

'The pope is Peruvian!' How 2 decades in South America shaped the vision of Pope Leo XIV

Guest Voices

Cardinal Robert Prevost's leadership roles in Chicago and Rome were essential in his formation. But his time in Peru best prepared him to take on the challenges of directing the global Catholic Church.

Vatican

Pope Leo XIV rides through St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 21, 2025, before holding his first weekly general audience. (CNS/Lola Gomez)
Vatican News

In his second week, Pope Leo moves on his ambitious agenda

As Pope Leo settles into the job, he signals what's ahead for the new papacy, taking action on the vision he sketched out in a 500-word speech.

Vatican News

Pope appoints religious sister secretary of dicastery for religious

In his first appointment of a top-level official of the Roman Curia, Pope Leo XIV named Sr. Tiziana Merletti, a canon lawyer, to be secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

ByCatholic News Service
Brother Leo and Gabby make their way up to the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace.
The Leo Chronicles

The Leo Chronicles: Apartments

The Leo Chronicles: Brother Leo and Gabby make their way up to the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace.

ByPat Marrin
Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV calls for aid to reach Gaza and an end to hostilities in his first general audience

Pope Leo XIV called Wednesday for humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip and for an end to the "heartbreaking" toll on its people, as he presided over his first general audience in St. Peter's Square.

ByNicole Winfield, Associated Press

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

God's love is generous, not calculating, pope says at first audience

Pope Francis' popemobile hasn't arrived in Gaza yet. Neither has relief from death, hunger and war.

Every vocation, even the pope's, springs from God's love, Leo XIV says

Faith

With Laudato Si', Pope Francis firmly planted ecology into Catholic social teaching

Dated May 24, the solemnity of Pentecost in 2015, the document, "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home," presented the core of his teachings on integral ecology, its principles and practical applications.

In September 2024, students at St. Leo Catholic School in Versailles, Kentucky, held a Laudato Si' family art show inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home." The art project was spurred by the Lexington Diocese's directive for parishes to develop Laudato Si' action plans, which include ecological education as a component. (Courtesy of Lexington Diocese)
Faith

In Kentucky coal country, Laudato Si' call takes shape in parish environmental plans

The Lexington Diocese's implementation of Laudato Si' is "one of the most comprehensive and inspiring examples of ecclesial commitment to integral ecology," said Alonso de Llanes of the Laudato Si' Action Platform.

ByBrian Roewe

US bishops urge young people to 'lead the way' on climate crisis

In a letter to mark the 10th anniversary of the late Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', U.S. bishops have urged young people to "lead the way" on the climate crisis.

ByKate Scanlon, OSV News
Faith

As Laudato Si' turns 10, experts urge greater response to pope's urgent message on climate

ByKimberley Heatherington, OSV News

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Catholic bishops call for mutual respect, environmental justice in Africa-EU relations

With a massive ark and museum, he spreads creationism a century after Scopes trial. He’s not alone

'A pope in muddy boots': Viral photos of Leo XIV reveal a history of pastoral care

Culture

19th-century Catholic teachings, 21st-century tech: How concerns about AI guided Pope Leo's choice of name

By taking the name Leo, I believe the new pope is suggesting something similar. The important question is not whether new technologies are good or bad. What matters far more is whether we can learn to share the responsibility of stewardship – whether we can all be partners in what this new industrial revolution is making possible.

Charlie Cox returns as the title character in “Daredevil: Born Again” on Disney+. The series, a continuation of Netflix’s "Daredevil," also features Vincent D'Onofrio as his arch-nemesis. (Marvel Television)

'Daredevil: Born Again' tackles complex tapestry of identity, faith and politics

Daredevil, a rather lowly superhero in the Marvel roster, is the right character to explore these complex themes. 

ByKevin Christopher Robles
(Unsplash/Paolo Chiabrando)

Art is the teacher, empathy is the lesson

Today, our society desperately needs to engage with great art; art that opens our eyes to the experiences of others, that develops in our hearts a compassion for those who appear different from us, art which speaks to our shared experiences and humanity. 

ByAlli Bobzien

Francis: The pope who left a fingerprint on pop culture

The culture’s fascination with Francis’ papacy indicated a hunger for the simplicity and humility he projected. It was an antidote we craved.

ByRebecca Bratten Weiss

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

At the Met, Caspar David Friedrich exhibit highlights nature-based mysticism

Now 'Francis' belongs to the pages

Martin Scorsese and Pope Francis teamed to produce a documentary called 'Aldeas — A New Story'

Pope Francis talks with migrants at the port in Lampedusa, Italy, July 8, 2013. (CNS/Pool via Reuters)

The work goes on: Sisters in immigration hope Leo continues Francis' advocacy

Pope Francis made migration a priority, leaving a challenge "not to see this as an invitation we received during a particular papacy, but the depth of an inner call. Not to see it as temporal, but as universal."

Columns

A weariness inhabited by God

Horizons - During a mission in rural Media Naranja, in Argentina, a group of Catholic sisters, young and adult laypeople, families, and a consecrated laywoman shared 10 days of evangelization with families in the community.

By
A paved winding splits a forest in which the leaves are changing colors

Finding hope along the winding road of human trafficking

From A Nun's Life Ministry: Sr. Margaret Kruse speaks about her congregation's program to help women who are trapped in human trafficking.

By
The future Pope Leo XIV visits with Augustinian sisters in Peru in this undated photo. As an Augustinian priest, then-Father Robert F. Prevost spent many years as a missionary in Peru and also served as bishop of that country's Chiclayo Diocese. (OSV News/Courtesy of Augustinian Sr. Carmen Toledano)
Vatican News

American? Peruvian? French? Augustinian, religious say, is Pope Leo's core identity

After stepping out to the main balcony as Pope Leo XIV, he mentioned no nationality. Instead, he identified himself as "a son of St. Augustine, an Augustinian."

ByRhina Guidos

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The novelty of the kin_dom: Jesus reverses roles of men and women in his church

Q&A with Sr. Yvonne Sanyanga, addressing mental health amid Zimbabwe's hardships

Keep praying. God is listening.