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65d ago

Italy

Italy

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An inside look at where the pope goes to recharge

Tom Llamas tours the papal gardens — featuring vineyards, an observatory and ancient Roman ruins — where Pope Leo will host a Concert for Peace today.
Tom Llamas.
Tom Llamas.
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Who are the ultratraditionalists rebelling against Pope Leo?

The Society of St. Pius X was founded in opposition to the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council, also known as Vatican II.
Pascal Schreiber,Michael Goldade,Michel Poinsinet de Sivry,Marc Hanappier
Pascal Schreiber,Michael Goldade,Michel Poinsinet de Sivry,Marc Hanappier

Vatican responds aggressively to society that defied pope, excommunicating its bishops

The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes the modernizing reforms of the Catholic Church, consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent.
SWITZERLAND-FRANCE-RELIGION-POPE-CHRISTIANITY
SWITZERLAND-FRANCE-RELIGION-POPE-CHRISTIANITY

Defying Pope Leo XIV and risking schism, traditionalists go ahead with Latin Mass consecrations

Consecrating a bishop without the pope’s consent amounts to a schismatic act, or an intentional rupture of the unity of the Catholic Church.
On June 30, 2026, Pope Leo XIV urged the Society to abandon its plan to ordain bishops without Vatican approval, warning it would lead to automatic excommunication. Founded in 1970 in Econe by French bishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of Saint Pius X categorically rejects the changes in the Church since the Second Vatican Council.
On June 30, 2026, Pope Leo XIV urged the Society to abandon its plan to ordain bishops without Vatican approval, warning it would lead to automatic excommunication. Founded in 1970 in Econe by French bishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of Saint Pius X categorically rejects the changes in the Church since the Second Vatican Council.

Pope begs breakaway traditionalist group to back off plan to consecrate its own bishops

Under church law, the consecrations are a schismatic act and incur automatic excommunication for the four bishops and the bishop administering the consecration.
VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-MASS
VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-MASS

Pope Leo warns AI is fueling conflict, urges world to slow advances

The U.S.-born pope was writing in his first encyclical, a sweeping and eagerly anticipated manifesto.
Vatican Pool Images 2026
Vatican Pool Images 2026
129d ago

Pope Leo XIV makes historic apology for Holy See’s role in legitimizing slavery

History’s first U.S.-born pope, whose family history includes both enslaved people and slave owners, delivered the apology in his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity), which was released Monday.
VATICAN-ENCYCLICAL-MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS-AI-POPE
VATICAN-ENCYCLICAL-MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS-AI-POPE
131d ago

Pope Leo meets families of youth lost to illegal toxic waste dumping in Italy

Leo hit out at “unscrupulous people and organizations” behind decades of mafia-linked toxic waste dumping.
VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-ACERRA
VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-ACERRA
146d ago

Pope celebrates first anniversary of election with visit to Pompeii to pray at shrine

The visit kicked off a series of day trips that Leo will be making over the next few weeks, up and down the Italian peninsula.
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV
147d ago

Marco Rubio meets with Pope Leo after Trump’s criticism over Iran war

The audience comes at a fraught time between Washington and the Holy See, after weeks of presidential criticism from the first American pontiff.
Pope Leo and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on May 7
Pope Leo and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on May 7
149d ago

Marco Rubio expects 'frank' meeting with pope as Trump takes new potshots at Leo

The president accused the pope of "endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people" for criticizing the Iran war.
VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-AUDIENCE
VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-AUDIENCE