Vatican

Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars, says they have 'hands full of blood'

"This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war," Pope Leo, the first US pope, told crowds.

Pope Leo XIV delivers a homily during the Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 29, 2026.
Cardinals take part in the funeral of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square April 8, 2005 in Vatican City, Vatican.

The Israeli-Iranian handshake at Pope John Paul II's funeral

Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan meets with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, March 23, 2026

Yad Vashem Chairman Dayan meets with Pope Leo XIV to discuss Holocaust remembrance

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Christmas Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, December 25, 2025.

Vatican says it will not participate in Trump's Gaza Board of Peace


Pope Leo's meeting with Herzog reveals Vatican's new diplomatic style

Leo, who became the first US pontiff when he was elected in May, takes an approach that is more muted than his predecessor Pope Francis.

Pope Leo XIV looks on, on the day of the weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican August 27, 2025

Italian teen made first millennial Catholic saint at youthful Vatican event

Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian boy who died aged 15, learned computer code to build websites to spread his faith.

Pope Leo XIV leads a Holy Mass for the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian boy who will become the first millennial to be made a Catholic saint, and Pier Giorgio Frassati, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, September 7, 2025.

Italian teen to become first millennial Catholic saint on Sunday

Carlo Acutis, who died aged 15, learned computer code to build websites to spread his faith. His story has drawn wide attention from Catholic youth.

 People walk past a tapestry hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican depicting an image of Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian boy who will become the first millennial to be made a Catholic saint in a ceremony led by Pope Leo, as seen from Rome, Italy, September 4, 2025.

President Herzog presses Pope Leo XIV to help free Hamas hostages

“Tomorrow marks the 700th day since our brothers and sisters were kidnapped, 48 of whom are still in Gaza,” Herzog told the pontiff. “We must do everything to return them as quickly as possible.”

President Isaac Herzog meets with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, September 4, 2025.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Meet Pope Leo XIV

President Isaac Herzog will visit the Vatican on Thursday to meet Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, focusing on hostages, antisemitism, and protecting Christians in the Middle East.

 Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd for the Angelus prayer in Piazza della Liberta (Liberty Square) in front of Palazzo Apostolico (Apostolic Palace) in the summer papal estate in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, Italy, July 13, 2025.

Grapevine, August 24, 2025: An OK Israeli

Movers and shakers in Israeli society

CULTURE AND Sport Minister Miki Zohar ponders his next move.

The brand that made porcelain for the Vatican and Titanic tiles launches in Israel

German brand Villeroy & Boch, known for Vatican porcelain and Titanic-surviving tiles, launches its FLEUR Dopamine collection in Israel – pastel floral designs blending luxury with everyday use.

FLEUR Collection from Villeroy & Boch

Pope Leo meets Zelensky, offers to host Ukraine peace talks

Zelensky and Leo held talks in Castel Gandolfo, a small Italian hill town near Rome, where the pope is taking a two-week vacation.

 Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wave from a balcony during their meeting in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 9, 2025.

Praying the world halts climate change? There's now a Catholic Mass for that

For centuries, Catholic priests have been able to celebrate special Masses to pray for their country, give thanks after a harvest or ask God to end a natural disaster.

 Pope Leo XIV celebrates the Mass on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles in St Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican June 29, 2025

Who Stands with Israel? Evangelicals Fill the Vatican’s Moral Void

Many had great hopes as Pope Leo XIV seemed ready to renew Catholicism's commitment to interreligious solidarity, but when missiles began raining down on Tel Aviv, those hopes were quickly tested.

 Pope Leo XIV holds general audience in St. Peter's Square