Those serving the Holy See can serve its mission best by striving to live a holy life in conformity to Christ, Pope Leo XIV said.

In a world marked by wars and where people are disconnected and numb with indifference, Pope Leo XIV prayed that the Holy Spirit would “open borders, break down walls” and dissolve hatred so everyone can live as children of one human family.

On the eve of Pentecost, Pope Leo XIV prayed that the Holy Spirit would help Catholic lay associations, movements and communities live the Gospel before trying to preach it and would be a force for unity in the church and in the world.

Recognizing the essential tenets of faith that Catholics and Orthodox share should be the lens through which they discuss the issues that continue to separate them, Pope Leo XIV said.

When discovering that Pope Leo the sports fan has supported their school’s athletic journeys for the past half-century, Villanova students — especially the athletes — united in rampant celebration.

Many sacred beliefs of our Catholic faith can be traced to the 21 ecumenical councils held since the fourth century.

The trip to Villanova convinced Bickel of his desire to be an Augustinian priest. It also gave him his first extensive look into the heart and soul of the future pope, a glimpse that has turned into a revelation about his friend through the years — and the way he believes Pope Leo will approach his papacy.

The Augustinian order has been in the spotlight since May 8, the day one of its own was elected pope. Interest in Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, has been steady, and so have the inquiries into joining the U.S. provinces of the men’s Order of St. Augustine.

Pope Leo XIV, as the first U.S.-born pope, may bring unique insight to the problem of polarization in the U.S. and in the U.S. church, analysts told OSV News.

I’ve also had an absolute conviction, from the moment that his papal name was announced, that this pontificate will have an historical significance to rival that of John Paul II’s, Leo XIII’s, and Pius IX’s.