Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 70th birthday on Sunday at St. Peter’s Square, blessing the faithful and receiving messages from around the world, including from world leaders and children.
Hundreds of faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to celebrate the Pontiff's anniversary, waving balloons, banners, and signs in English, Italian, and Spanish. He blessed the crowd during the Angelus prayer and thanked everyone for their good wishes.
“My dears, it seems you know today I have turned 70,” the Pope said to applause. “I thank the Lord, my parents and all those who remembered me in their prayers.”
The Vatican reported that greetings came from across the globe, including drawings from young patients at Rome’s Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, which Pope Leo visited in August. Many of the drawings conveyed wishes for world peace, with one showing the Pope waving a peace flag between a dove and St. Peter’s Basilica.
In interviews shared Sunday, Pope Leo reflected on the challenges of his papacy, describing it as a “huge learning curve” akin to being “thrown into the deep end of the pool.” The first American pontiff said he has quickly adapted to being a spiritual leader for Catholics worldwide, though he noted the diplomatic responsibilities of the papacy are more complex.
“Being thrown onto the level of world leader is entirely new,” Leo said. “I’m learning a lot and feeling very challenged, but not overwhelmed.”
The Pope also received greetings from world leaders. Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella praised Leo for promoting “unarmed and disarming peace” and for inspiring dialogue, justice, and dignity globally. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked him for his guidance during challenging times.
The German Bishops’ Conference congratulated Pope Leo XIV, calling him a “bridge-building” figure who unites believers. Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing noted the Pope’s presence during church services, audiences, and meetings as evidence that the Church is actively among the people.
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Pope Leo will embark on his first trip outside Italy as the leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, travelling to Türkiye and Lebanon, where he is expected to make appeals for peace in the region.
Head of the Catholic church Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday urged the global community to push for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, calling for the release of hostages and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Australia confirmed it will repatriate citizens from the MV Hondius cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, with quarantine on arrival. Spain, France are evacuating nationals as three deaths are confirmed. In the U.S., two passengers have been isolated after testing positive for the virus.
U.S. President Donald Trump called Iran’s response to Washington’s latest peace proposal “totally unacceptable” amid talks over ending the war and securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. A cargo vessel near Qatar was hit by a projectile as Kuwait reported hostile drones in its airspace.
China’s leading chipmakers are funnelling unprecedented sums into research and development as Beijing accelerates efforts to reduce reliance on foreign technology amid intensifying U.S. export restrictions.
SOCAR has completed the acquisition of a 99.82% stake in Italiana Petroli (IP) from API Holding after receiving all required regulatory approvals.
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has warned that France risks undermining the self-determination rights of the Kanak Indigenous People in New Caledonia amid proposed political and constitutional reforms.
French President Emmanuel Macron opened France’s first-ever business summit in an English-speaking African nation on Monday (11 May), as Paris seeks to strengthen ties across the continent following a decline in influence in several former French colonies.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attempt a political fightback on Monday (11 May) with a speech promising closer ties with the European Union after Labour suffered heavy local election losses and growing calls for his resignation.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that three Polish nationals and two Moldovan citizens had been released from detention in Belarus and Russia, highlighting what he described as growing diplomatic cooperation with Minsk.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel aims to eventually end its reliance on U.S. financial military support within the next decade. The decision signals a long-term shift in the country’s defence policy as it seeks to deepen ties with Gulf states.
Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s billionaire former prime minister, has been released on parole from prison on Monday (11 May). Shinawatra served part of an eight-month sentence that capped years of legal battles, political turmoil and controversy surrounding his return from exile.
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