Pope Leo XIV stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to thunderous applause and an electric atmosphere, to deliver his first Sunday blessing and an address calling for peace in Ukraine and Gaza. The last time he stood on the same velvet ...

Pope Leo XIV held his first public audience with members of the media, saying the church stood in solidarity with them for "seeking the truth."

Conversely, Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, introduced himself to the public speaking Italian and Spanish, and greeted onlookers both in person and virtually with a concise speech about building bridges and fostering hope for a synodal church.

When Father Tony Ricard watched the new pope deliver his first address to the faithful Thursday in St. Peter’s Square, he felt an instant kinship.

Leaders called the decision from the conclave “a powerful moment for the Catholic Church — and for American Catholics.”

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, gave his first homily from the Sistine Chapel on Friday in a move that could signify how he intends to lead the Catholic Church.