The year 2025 proved to be one of the most transformative periods for the Roman Catholic Church in recent history, beginning with the death of Pope Francis and culminating in the election and early diplomatic outreach of his successor, Pope Leo XIV.
Following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, cardinals from around the world gathered in Vatican City for a conclave.
On 8 May 2025, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signalling the election of a new pope. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, aged 69, became the 267th Bishop of Rome and took the name Pope Leo XIV.
By choosing the name Leo, the new pontiff paid tribute to Pope Leo XIII, widely regarded as the architect of Catholic social teaching.
The decision was widely interpreted as a signal of Leo XIV’s intention to bridge the Church’s ancient traditions with the complex social, political and technological challenges of the modern world.
The election marked several historic firsts.
Pope Leo XIV became the first American-born pope, and the first member of the Augustinian Order to lead the Catholic Church since 1570.
In his first address from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, he greeted the faithful with the words: “Peace be with you all.”
Just days after his election, on 10 May, Pope Leo XIV visited the tomb of Pope Francis at the Basilica of St Mary Major, praying for his predecessor and showing his intent to continue with Francis’s pastoral legacy.
Throughout the summer months, the new Pontiff presided over major liturgical events in Rome, while advancing efforts focused on ecumenism, Church governance and ethical challenges, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
First overseas journey
By late November, Pope Leo XIV embarked on his first apostolic trip, travelling to Türkiye and Lebanon between 27 November and 2 December.
In Türkiye, he met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on the first day of his trip, highlighting a major diplomatic engagement early in his papacy.
The discussions between the two leaders focused on bilateral relations, regional stability and broader global issues, including the situation in Palestine, reflecting shared concerns over peace and cooperation between the Holy See and Türkiye.
In his speech during the meeting with Turkish authorities, diplomatic Corps and civil society the Pontiff said, "The Holy See, with only its spiritual and moral strength, wishes to cooperate with all nations that have at heart the integral development of each and every person."
"Let us walk together, then, in truth and in friendship, humbly trusting in the help of God," he concluded.
The Pontiff also visited Istanbul and İznik, commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
In Lebanon, the pope visited the tomb of Saint Charbel at Annaya, where he prayed for peace in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
He also attended an ecumenical and interfaith gathering at Beirut’s Martyrs Square and offered a silent prayer at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, paying tribute to victims and survivors.
Diplomatic ventures
Highlighting his established commitment to promoting peace among nations and faiths, in June, Pope Leo received President Sergio Mattarella of Italy at the Vatican, reaffirming the strong ties between the Holy See and the Italian Republic.
He also welcomed President Gustavo Petro of Colombia for a private audience, where discussions emphasised peace, reconciliation and humanitarian concerns.
On 23 October, Pope Leo received King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Vatican during the Catholic Jubilee Year, reinforcing the pontiff’s emphasis on Christian unity.
Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III prayed together in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, marking the first joint worship in 500 years between a British monarch and a pope.
The joint prayer was made all the more significant with the King doubling as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, albeit a ceremonial role established during the reformation.
After completing his inaugural visit abroad, on 4 December, Pope Leo received Slovak President Peter Pellegrini in audience at the Apostolic Palace.
The talks focused on the strong bilateral relations between the Holy See and Slovakia, including cooperation on social cohesion, justice and the protection of the family.
The meeting also covered international issues, notably the war in Ukraine, European security and developments in the Middle East.
On the same day, Pope Leo XIV also held an audience with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, according to the Holy See Press Office.
Discussions highlighted the positive state of relations between the Vatican and Mongolia, as well as broader regional and global issues.
Pope Leo’s 9 December audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo included focused discussions on specific humanitarian concerns tied to the conflict in Ukraine.
During the cordial meeting, the pontiff reiterated the continuation of dialogue as the preferred means to end hostilities and expressed his urgent desire that ongoing diplomatic initiatives lead to a just and lasting peace.
The talks also addressed the plight of prisoners of war and the need to ensure the return of Ukrainian children separated from their families.
Zelenskyy expressed profound gratitude for the Vatican’s support and prayers, and reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to pursuing peace while informing the pope about ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Pope Leo XIV also met President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria to discuss interfaith dialogue and cooperation, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe to explore stronger collaboration between the Church and the local community.
Furthermore, President Isaac Herzog of Israel engaged with the Pope by telephone, spotlighting the pontiff’s involvement in efforts to address conflict and antisemitism.
Engagement with Youth, AI, and Global Peace
Aligned with emerging global trends, on 12 December, the Holy Father received in audience the participants in the Conference “Artificial Intelligence and Care of Our Common Home”, organized by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation and the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research University.
He expressed that in order to build a future together "with our young people that achieves the common good and harnesses the potential of artificial intelligence" it was necessary to restore and strengthen the youth's confidence in the human ability to guide the development of advanced AI technologies.
On 18 December, Pope Leo's message for the 59th World Day of Peace, to be held on 1 January 2026, on the theme “Peace be with you all: towards an "unarmed and disarming’ peace” was presented.
He used this opportunity to condemn leaders who exploit religion to justify violence and nationalism, while warning of the ethical risks posed by artificial intelligence in warfare.
In his first Christmas address to Vatican cardinals, the Pope called for a “joyful and welcoming Church” and reiterated his commitment to institutional reform.
"May the Lord grant us his own humility, his compassion and his love, so that we may become his disciples and witnesses each day. I wholeheartedly wish you all a holy Christmas. May the Lord bring us his light and grant peace to the world," the Pontiff concluded.
The year concludes with preparations for a global cardinal consistory scheduled for January 2026, aimed at shaping the governance priorities of the new papacy.
2025 marked the emergence of Pope Leo XIV as a pontiff focused on peace, dialogue and reform, setting the tone for a papacy seeking to steer the Catholic Church through an increasingly fractured and complex world.
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Ukraine "deeply appreciates" the humanitarian support of Pope Leo XIV. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a meeting between the two at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, on Tuesday, 9 December.
Pope Leo XIV will end a three-day visit to Lebanon on Tuesday (2 December), concluding his first overseas trip as Catholic leader with an urgent appeal for peace in the Middle East and a warning that humanity’s future is threatened by the world’s bloody conflicts.
Pope Leo XIV visited Martyrs’ Square in Beirut on Monday, the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Lebanon, where he met with Christian and interreligious leaders to promote dialogue and unity among different faiths.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Beirut on Sunday, marking the second stop of his first overseas trip since becoming pontiff in May. The visit, coming directly from Türkiye, is being hailed as a moment of spiritual encouragement for a nation struggling with deep political and economic crises.
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