As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate with an emphasis on peace, justice and bridge-building, the Vatican has reaffirmed its “unwavering support for the mission of the United Nations” amid conflict and other urgent challenges facing the global community.

A move to hold talks between Ukraine and Russia at the Vatican appeared to gain momentum May 19, following a call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This is the full text of the Regina Caeli address given by Pope Leo XIV May 18 at the end of the Mass for the Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome.

He commands no armies, but we pray desperately that Pope Leo’s moral weight, and ours as he guides us, can make the world and our country a more peaceful place, a community of love and welcome, a place where all are respected and the common good is the common standard.

Deacon Thomas O’Donnell keeps returning to one word – “powerful” – to describe a weeklong experience in Rome where he literally was steps away from a historic papal transition.

The election of Pope Leo XIV made Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, recall a vivid memory that went all the way back to first grade at the former St. Ann School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan U.S. government commission that monitors religious freedom around the globe, praised Pope Leo XIV May 16 for demonstrating the Vatican would continue its advocacy for international religious freedom during his papacy.

Pope Leo XIV has named Cardinal Baldassare Reina grand chancellor of the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences.

During a special audience with religious leaders who came to Rome for the inauguration of his papal ministry, Pope Leo XIV vowed to continue working toward Christian unity and promoting dialogue among all religions.

The day after his inauguration Mass, Pope Leo XIV had a closed-door meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican.