Catholic News Service

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Pentecost by highlighting the role of the Holy Spirit in his repeated calls for peace in recent months, saying the spirit also guides the Church to truth amid a world marked by war, division and ideological fragmentation.

As had been customary by his predecessors, Leo used his first general audience after his April 13-23 trip to four nations in Africa to tell people about the purpose of his visit and what struck him most about his travels.

Pope Leo XIV welcomed the newly announced ceasefire in the Middle East as "a sign of genuine hope" after what he described as "hours of extreme tension," while urging a return to negotiations and calling the faithful to prayer.

Just as Mary Magdalene and the other women rushed to tell the disciples that Jesus is risen, "we too should desire to set out tonight from this basilica to bring to all the good news," the pope said.

Pope Leo XIV, who graduated from the lower school of St. Mary of the Assumption on the city's South Side in 1969, greeted and reminisced with 10 of his 82 former classmates after the general audience in St. Peter's Square March 18.

An authentic Christian community knows how to sincerely and joyfully welcome everyone: Catholics, non-Catholics and people of no faith at all, Pope Leo XIV said.

The transmission of the faith is "a topic of great urgency," the pope said in remarks to members and officials of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and others participating in its plenary session at the Vatican Jan. 27-29.

Pope Leo XIV called for an end to all antisemitism, prejudice, oppression and persecution worldwide.

Algorithms designed to maximize engagement on social media can lock people into "bubbles" of easy consensus and rage, weakening people's ability to listen and think critically, and increasing polarization, the pope wrote in his message for the World Day of Communications.

All Christians are called to invite everyone to trust in Christ, who enlightens and consoles, Pope Leo XIV said.

If Christians are to speak about God, then they must dedicate time each day and week to listening to God's word in prayer and the liturgy, Pope Leo XIV said.

All power must be built on responsibility and service, Pope Leo XIV told local government leaders.

If people refuse to make room for others — like the poor, children and the stranger — then they also refuse to make room for God, Pope Leo XIV said as he celebrated the birth of Jesus.

Christian archaeology seeks to see, hear and touch the Word made flesh, Pope Leo XIV said in an apostolic letter, inviting bishops and others to encourage young people, laypeople and priests to study archaeology.

Meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pope Leo XIV reiterated the importance of dialogue and his hopes for a just and lasting peace in the region. The two leaders held their closed-door meeting in the morning at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo, southeast of Rome; the meeting lasted about 30 minutes.

The Vatican reported that it ended 2024 with a 1.6-million-euro surplus ($1.85 million) compared to a deficit of 51.2 million euros ($59.3 million) in 2023.

Publishing In Unitate Fidei Nov. 23, Leo marked the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and its Creed. He said he wanted it released in anticipation of his visit to Turkey to celebrate with Orthodox and Protestant leaders the anniversary of the Creed Christians share.

The items were sent to Rome by Catholic missionaries between 1923 and 1925. They include an Inuit kayak, masks, moccasins and etchings.
 

"To avoid falling into superstitious illusion, such events must be evaluated with prudence, through humble discernment in accordance with the teaching of the church," Pope Leo said.

The saint's legacy "reminds us that Britain's religious story is broader than one tradition. It's been enriched by Catholic thought, courage and contribution," saidDavid Lammy, U.K. deputy prime minister.