Pope Leo XIV and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on Thursday during the latter's trip to Rome, with hopes of improving relations between the Vatican and Washington at a time when United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked the pontiff. On Friday, Leo marks his first year leading the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
Trump's tirade on social media included accusations that Pope Leo was weak on crime and foreign policy, claiming he was elected only because Trump was in the White House.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country is committed to "a real peace" and that "everything depends on whether Russia is ready to take effective steps to stop the bloodshed." In a post on X, he added that work continued "very actively on all components of potential steps toward ending the war." "The Ukrainian and European components are now more developed, and we are ready to present them to our partners in the US,"
I had never been to Italy. This was a special moment, to get to go for the first time with probably the most famous Italian singer alive today. What a week, and I only had to sing twice! I'm used to Broadway, where we do eight shows a week, or being on tour and singing every other night, but I was able to relax and breathe.
Pope Leo XIV signaled commitment to continuing the fight against clergy sexual abuse by appointing France's Bishop Thibault Verny to head the Vatican's child protection advisory commission. Verny, 59, replaces American Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the retired archbishop of Boston, who was the founding president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. This commission was established by Pope Francis in 2014 to advise the church on best practices to fight abuse and protect children.
Rome's unique blend of history, culture, and spirituality offers an unparalleled experience for visitors, making it a global standout with its breathtaking architecture and religious significance.
