Even before he was appointed to a position at the Vatican in 2023, Pope Leo XIV spent most of his time away from his home country.

Pope Leo XIV's election as the first American to lead the Catholic Church elevated him to the rare position of being a U.S. citizen who is also a foreign head of state

Pope Leo XIV Sunday paid visits to the papal basilicas of St. John Lateran, where he was formally installed as Bishop of Rome, and St. Mary Major, assuring Romans of his closeness as their pastor, and stressing the need to walk together in unity.

A report of a study group on women deacons is expected as soon as June, putting the spotlight on the issue of women’s roles in the church once more.

Pope Leo XIV has completed the final ceremonial steps to formalizing his role as the bishop of Rome. The pontiff formally took possession of the St. John Lateran Basilica, Rome’s cathedral and the seat of the diocese,