A Christmas tree was lit and a Nativity scene was opened in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. The ceremony, led by Sister Raffaella Petrini, emphasized the symbolism of peace and fraternal unity.
Pope Leo stated that the Vatican has completed preparations for his visit to Ukraine, which was discussed with Zelenskyy. However, the implementation of the plan is complicated by security issues, which requires a realistic approach.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk met with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. They discussed the return of Ukrainian children illegally taken to Russia, and the release of prisoners of war and civilians.
A Vatican research commission has decided not to ordain women as deacons, disappointing Catholic women. Instead, it has been proposed to create new lay ministries for women outside of the ordained diaconate.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Turkey, beginning his first foreign trip, where he will mark the anniversary of Christianity. He will then travel to Lebanon after Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, where he will hold meetings with religious leaders and youth.
Pope Leo urged young Americans not to misuse artificial intelligence for homework, emphasizing its role as a learning tool. He noted that AI is becoming one of the defining features of our time.
12 historical artifacts, including crowns, shields, and paintings, have returned to Ethiopia after 100 years of storage with a German family. These items, collected in the 1920s, have been transferred to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.
Ukraine has appealed to the Vatican to solidify its mediating role in negotiations for the return of Ukrainian children and civilians illegally taken by Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed Pope Leo XIV a letter requesting to formalize this mechanism.
The Vatican has returned 62 artifacts to Indigenous peoples of Canada, including an Inuit kayak, as part of a re-evaluation of the Catholic Church's role in suppressing Indigenous cultures. These items, which were exhibited in Rome 100 years ago, will now be handed over to individual communities.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has returned over 1,600 children illegally taken to Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes the need for international support to return approximately 19,500 children who are estimated to still be in the Russian Federation.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell and Argentine film producer Fernando Sulichin attended the Pope's weekly audience in the Vatican. The 55-year-old model presented the pontiff with a book about spices.
70-year-old Pope Leo XIV unveiled his four favorite films released in the 20th century, ahead of a meeting with famous movie stars at the Vatican. He plans to deepen the dialogue with the world of cinema.
Pope Leo officially denied reports of Jesus' apparition in Dozulé, Normandy, where a local resident claimed to have seen Christ 49 times in the 1970s. The main doctrinal office stated that this phenomenon has no supernatural origin, urging Catholics not to accept these reports as true.
Pope Leo will hold a special audience with about thirty Hollywood actors and directors, including Cate Blanchett and Spike Lee, at the Vatican this weekend. The event is organized as part of the Church's Holy Year to deepen dialogue with the world of cinema and promote human values.
Pope Leo XIV spent almost three hours meeting with Belgian victims of sexual abuse by the clergy, listening to their testimonies of trauma. The Catholic Church in Belgium is facing a crisis due to hundreds of abuse cases, and the Pope has pledged to combat violence and cover-ups.
The Vatican has officially stated that the salvation of the world is solely due to Jesus Christ, and not the Virgin Mary. A new decree by Pope Leo prohibits believers from calling Mary the "co-redeemer" of the world.
Lithuania is temporarily closing two border crossings with Belarus, Medininkai and Šalčininkai, for a month, starting on Wednesday. Exceptions will apply to diplomats, EU citizens, and other categories, while Šalčininkai will be completely closed and Medininkai partially open.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, will make his first international trip to Turkey and Lebanon from November 27 to December 2. The visit will include meetings with leaders, interfaith events, and a prayer at the site of the Beirut port explosion.
King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV held a joint prayer in the Sistine Chapel, marking the first such event in 500 years. They recited the 'Our Father' in English, and the King presented the Pope with an icon of Saint Edward the Confessor.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the Vatican for a historic meeting with the Pope. Charles will be the first British monarch in 500 years to pray publicly with the Pope.
King Charles III will hold a joint prayer with Pope Leo XIV during an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel. This is the first time in five centuries that a British monarch will publicly pray with the pontiff.
The President of Ukraine stated that his American counterpart seeks an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war, and Trump's message to stop at the line of contact is, in the opinion of the head of state, positive. At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not consider Budapest the best platform for US-Russia negotiations.
Iryna Vereshchuk met with Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, who has represented the Holy See in Kyiv since 2021. They discussed strengthening the Vatican's role in returning Ukrainians from captivity and supporting the families of prisoners of war.
British King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will pay an official visit to the Vatican this autumn. They will meet with Pope Leo XIV, a visit that was canceled in April due to the deteriorating health of the late Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV stated in an interview that he would not change key doctrine regarding same-sex marriage and women deacons. This hinders reforms and is a step towards traditionalists, unlike his predecessor.
The event concluded the 2025 World Meeting on Human Fraternity and included unusual drone choreography depicting the face of Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV met with Jesuit James Martin, a well-known advocate for LGBTQ+ integration. The new pontiff confirmed the continuation of Pope Francis' policy regarding LGBTQ+ acceptance in the church.
Ukraine successfully consolidates European partners and prevents capitulation at negotiations in Istanbul. The country has achieved significant successes in the development and testing of new models of missile weapons and drones.
Pope Leo XVI expressed hope for peace in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for continuous efforts and prayer to achieve it. He constantly communicates with political leaders and prays for progress in peace negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin could meet by the end of the month. Five possible locations are being considered, with Geneva deemed the best.
