american pope

In a surprising viral moment, Pope Leo XIV joined children in St. Peter's Square, enthusiastically participating in the nonsensical "6-7" TikTok hand gesture trend. This unexpected display of cultural engagement by the head of the Catholic Church delighted millions online, showcasing a relatable and modern approach to connecting with younger generations amidst ancient traditions.

Pope Leo XIV has become an internet style sensation after a documentary clip showed him wearing crisp white Nike trainers with his papal cassock. This unexpected fashion choice, dubbed "Holy Drip," has sparked widespread online discussion and praise for its modern, approachable image, contrasting with traditional papal attire.

Pope Leo XIV marks one year as leader of the Catholic Church on Friday with a visit to southern Italy, returning to his flock after weeks dominated by a clash with Washington. The one-day trip marks the first of several short pastoral visits planned this summer in Italy, and comes a fortnight after a tour of four African nations.

Leo identified himself as Robert Prevost. The bank employee asked the required security questions, listened to him, and then delivered the verdict familiar to anyone who has ever dealt with institutional procedure: he would have to come in personally.

Trump again assails Pope Leo, potentially complicating Rubio's visit to Vatican this week

Pope Leo XIV's Vatican is signaling a nuanced approach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, embracing dialogue while maintaining traditional stances on same-sex blessings. A recent Vatican report highlighted testimonies from gay Catholics, emphasizing social justice over sexual morality. This move has drawn praise from advocates and criticism from conservatives, underscoring the ongoing internal church debate.

If anything, this moment feels like a rare theological pullback, a reminder that the Church, for all its history of intrigue and compromise, still retains its oldest function: to define the boundaries of right and wrong when politics refuses to.

Donald Trump's recent AI-generated images, including one mistaken for Jesus, sparked controversy. He clashed with Pope Leo over foreign policy and war, while also promoting diet soda for cancer prevention. Amidst concerns about his fitness for office and promises of mass pardons, Trump's actions continue to draw global attention.

President Trump sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV, labeling him "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy." Trump accused the pontiff of being soft on Iran's nuclear ambitions and opposing US military actions, while the Pope had called for peace and dialogue amid global conflicts.

US President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on Pope Leo XIV, calling him "WEAK on Crime" and an Obama sympathizer. Trump posted a messianic image of himself, sparking global backlash. The Pope responded by emphasizing the Gospel's message of peacemaking, while allies and critics debated Trump's actions.

European leaders may be uncomfortable with Trump’s Iran war, but won’t dare criticise him. For, US remains the guarantor of Western security. But European publics are increasingly losing patience with this hypocrisy, punishing those seen as close to Trump

The US-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved just days before the ceasefire deadline, with tensions rising again after Iran rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that it had agreed to major concessions. Tehran announced it would tighten control over the waterway, citing US violations and “bogus victory claims.” The situation escalated after reports of gunfire forced Indian vessels to turn back, prompting a strong protest from New Delhi. Both sides are now on high alert, with uncertainty over whether the ceasefire will hold or lead to renewed conflict.

President Donald Trump received a McDonald's delivery in the Oval Office from DoorDash driver Sharon Simmons. During the impromptu press event, Trump discussed his "One Big Beautiful Bill" and "No Tax on Tips" initiative, even tipping Simmons $100. He also touched on topics like Iran and the Pope.

The now-deleted post, shared on Sunday, showed Trump bathed in divine light, healing a man in a hospital bed while a horned demonic figure floated in the background. The image drew immediate condemnation, including from some of the president’s most loyal conservative Christian allies. Riley Gaines, Fox News host and conservative commentator, said she “cannot understand why he’d post this”.

Former US President Donald Trump faced backlash for an AI image showing him as a Jesus-like figure. He later explained it was meant to portray him as a doctor healing people. The image, which sparked criticism from supporters and others, was eventually deleted. Trump dismissed the negative reactions as fake news.

A new controversy has erupted between Washington and the Vatican. Reports suggest Pentagon officials contacted the Pope's envoy after the Pontiff criticized global power politics. Candace Owens is demanding transparency, asking for the names of White House officials involved. The Pope had spoken out against forceful diplomacy and rising global tensions, particularly in the Middle East.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth drew parallels between a downed airman's rescue and Jesus Christ's resurrection, stating the pilot was "flown out of Iran as the sun was rising on Easter Sunday." President Trump echoed this sentiment, suggesting divine support for the US-Iran conflict.

Each side blamed the other for the failure of the 21-hour-long negotiations in Pakistan to end fighting that has killed thousands and sent global oil prices soaring since it began over six weeks ago. Here's what we know

A fragile Iran-US ceasefire is showing signs of collapse as Iran warns of renewed hostilities amid intensified Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Hezbollah retaliated, accusing Israel of breaching the truce, a stance Israel and the US argue falls outside the agreement's scope, jeopardizing upcoming peace talks.

For peace, both US & Iran must realise neither’s position is as strong as they believe, nor is their adversary as weak as they would prefer. But they are not there yet

The notion lives on in a post-colonial society where English – and who has access to it – is a marker of civility and civilisation. The Higgins-Macaulay Complex continues to haunt post-colonial societies, but there are times when the English language can be oddly prescient.

A tech billionaire. A closed-door lecture series in the shadow of the Vatican. A theological argument that turns two thousand years of Christian thought inside out. This is not a culture war spat. It is something far stranger.

In 2025, Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, emerged as the first american pope after a swift two-day conclave. Succeeding Pope Francis, he inherits a Church grappling with declining attendance and political strife. While aligning with Francis on migrant issues, Pope Leo XIV adopts a more centrist stance on LGBTQ+ matters, emphasizing cultural context.

In a historic turn, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago becomes Pope Leo XIV. He succeeds Pope Francis. Prevost's election marks the first time an American ascends to the papacy. Social media buzzes with reactions. Many see his election as a continuation of progressive values. His background includes missionary work in Peru.