The pope[a] is the bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, [b] Roman pontiff, [c] or sovereign pontiff.

Visiting the official website of the Holy See one can browse: the Magisterium of the Supreme Pontiffs; the fundamental texts of Catholicism in various languages (the Sacred Bible, the Catechism of the …

6 days ago · Follow Vatican News for updates and information on the daily activities of the Pope.

Jan 9, 2026 · Pope warns diplomats of rising global violence and erosion of human life Pope Leo XIV told Vatican diplomats that “war is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,” warning of threats …

6 days ago · Early signs from Pope Leo XIV’s first consistory suggest continuity with Francis’ vision, paired with a different approach to governance.

May 8, 2025 · Leo XIV (born September 14, 1955, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.) is the pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected to the papacy on May 8, 2025, succeeding Pope Francis …

4 days ago · Pope Leo XIV’s speech last week outlining his vision of international relations made a deep impression on some of the diplomats accredited to the Holy See who attended the Jan. 9 event. In ...

Jan 9, 2026 · The pontiff used an annual address to ambassadors to the Vatican to condemn countries that prioritized violence over diplomacy to achieve their goals.

Jan 5, 2026 · Will Pope Leo XIV follow the progressive example of his predecessor or chart a more moderate course? His work in Chicago and Peru may shed light on his approach.

May 9, 2025 · About 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide have a new spiritual leader: Pope Leo XIV. The election of Robert Francis Prevost, who chose the name Leo XIV, as the 267th leader of the Roman …