Catholic Church

As the first American pope addressed the faithful from St. Peter’s Basilica last week, he called for peace and unity, but what Pope Leo XIV did not address has some concerned. Investigative Reporter Tracee Wilkins explains what clergy sex abuse survivors say they want to hear from Pope Leo now that he’s the leader of the Church.

News that the global Catholic church would get its first-ever U.S.-born pope was welcomed by Catholics across the ideological spectrum in Pope Leo XIV’s homeland, raising the question of whether he might be able to ease some of the deep divisions within its ranks.

Pope Leo XIV gave his first Sunday blessing in Vatican City and worshipers at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle react to his message in D.C. News4’s Jessica Albert reports. 

Pope Leo XIV has called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid.

Pope Leo XIV laid out the vision of his papacy Saturday, identifying artificial intelligence as one of the most critical matters facing humanity.

John Prevost, one of the older brothers of Pope Leo XIV, said he briefly spoke with the pope to inform him they were headed to Rome.

Pope Leo’s childhood home in a Chicago suburb was recently listed for sale for under $250,000 — until Thursday, that is. It appears the listing for the small home in Dolton, Illinois, a suburb south of Chicago, was taken down just after the new pope was elected. The 750-square-foot home on East 141st Place had been put up for sale...

“I think people will be very impressed with him,” Villanova president Peter Donohue said of the new pope, who graduated from the university in 1977.

Pope Leo XIV said Friday that his election was both a cross and a blessing as he celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel.

The new American pope received a very American reception in Vatican City.

The newly elected pontiff delivered a speech in Italian and Spanish. Here’s what he said.

Pope Leo XIV’s online footprint was quickly dissected, sparking mixed reactions from the right over posts seemingly critical of Trump and Vance.

Catholic University Associate Dean Susan M. Timoney breaks down the election of Pope Leo XIV as the first American pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV was elected on day two, making this one of the fastest conclaves in modern history. But the shortest ever? That happened in 1503 and lasted just a few hours.

In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization.

Catholic University students jumped up and down and chanted “USA!” when they learned an American had been chosen as pope. News4’s Aimee Cho reports.

It might be the newly anointed Pope Leo XIV’s day, but a seagull chick stole the hearts of people around the world after it teetered next to the chimney shortly before the conclave’s white smoke appeared.

Leaders from all around the world reacted to the election of Pope Leo XIV, the new head of the Catholic Church.

The name a new pope chooses is often the first clue to his priorities. The last pope named Leo was Leo XIII, who began his papacy in 1878.

President Donald Trump and other leaders congratulated Pope Leo XIV as he becomes leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.