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Pope Calls for Ban on Aerial Bombings

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Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned aerial military strikes, calling them indiscriminate and urging that they be permanently banned. Speaking in Vatican City, he warned that no one should live in fear of destruction coming from the sky, especially in light of ongoing global conflicts.

Although he did not directly reference the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran, the pope criticized the continued use of airpower in warfare, describing it as a regression rather than progress. He emphasized that after the devastating experiences of the 20th century, such tactics should have been eliminated entirely.

The pope has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the conflict, recently labeling it a “scandal to the whole human family.” His remarks came during a meeting with staff from ITA Airways, the airline that typically handles his international travel.

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Belgian Bishop Pushes for Married Priests by 2028

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Johan Bonny, the bishop of Antwerp in Belgium, has announced plans to petition the Vatican to allow the ordination of married men as priests by 2028. The move addresses the Church’s declining clergy numbers and could test Pope Leo XIV’s willingness to consider changes to centuries-old celibacy rules. Bonny, a progressive voice in the Church, said he would identify men to train as priests and make “every effort” to implement the change.

The Catholic Church has long maintained a celibate priesthood, and ordaining married priests without papal permission could result in excommunication. While Pope Leo XIV has praised celibacy, he has not spoken extensively on married clergy, and previous pontiffs, including Pope Francis, firmly rejected the idea. Bonny highlighted that the Church’s replacement rate of celibate priests is “just above zero,” creating a pressing need for reform.

The issue has historical precedent in Eastern-rite Catholic Churches, where married priests are allowed. Bonny noted that his diocese currently depends on foreign priests, often married, from Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Advocates say married priests could attract more men to the priesthood, while opponents maintain that celibacy ensures priests’ full dedication to Church duties.

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Pope Leo Declares Universal Healthcare a Moral Imperative

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Pope Leo XIV has called on nations to ensure universal healthcare access, describing it as a “moral imperative” for any just society. Speaking at a healthcare conference in Vatican City, he emphasized that access to medical services is essential to human dignity and social justice.

The pope stressed that healthcare must not become a privilege for a few, urging governments to prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations. He warned that inequality in access to healthcare could lead to broader social injustices and even conflict if left unaddressed.

Building on the stance of his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo highlighted the importance of solidarity and collective responsibility in building inclusive healthcare systems. He encouraged global cooperation to create systems that ensure care for all, reinforcing the idea that health is a fundamental right, not a luxury.

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Pope Leo Urges Media to Highlight War Suffering, Not Propaganda

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Pope Leo called on journalists to focus on the human suffering caused by war rather than amplifying propaganda or glorifying conflicts. Speaking to broadcasters from Italy’s TG2 news program, the pope emphasized the need to report “through the eyes of the victims” and avoid presenting war like a video game, urging media to act responsibly in portraying the realities of violence.

He cautioned that in times of conflict, information must not become a “megaphone of power” and stressed the importance of verifying news to prevent misleading narratives. While Pope Leo did not specify a particular conflict in his remarks, he has recently called for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, describing the violence as “atrocious.”

The pope’s warning echoes similar concerns voiced by U.S. church leaders, including Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, who condemned a White House social media video that spliced Iran war footage with video game and action film clips, calling the content “sickening.” Both leaders underscored the moral responsibility of media and public figures in shaping perceptions of war.

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Pope Leo Urges Confession for Christians Who Start Wars

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Pope Leo XIV on Friday suggested that Christian political leaders who engage in armed conflicts should examine their conscience and go to confession, emphasizing adherence to Jesus’ teachings without naming specific leaders or wars. Speaking to priests at a Vatican conference on the practice of confession, he highlighted the importance of humility and moral reflection for those bearing grave responsibilities in conflicts.

The pope’s remarks come amid his repeated calls for an end to the ongoing Iran war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28. While the Catholic Church generally opposes war, it evaluates conflicts through the just war tradition, assessing whether actions like repelling an unjust invasion are morally justifiable. Cardinal Robert McElroy recently criticized the U.S.-Israeli strikes as failing to meet these criteria.

Pope Leo stressed that the sacrament of confession not only allows individual Catholics to seek forgiveness but also fosters peace and unity in society. By encouraging self-examination and repentance, the pope linked spiritual reflection with broader ethical responsibility, urging leaders and faithful alike to align their actions with Christian teachings on non-violence.

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St Francis of Assisi’s Remains Displayed to Public After 800 Years

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The bones of Francis of Assisi have gone on public display in Italy to commemorate 800 years since his death. The 13th-century saint’s skeleton is being exhibited at the lower church of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in the central Italian town of Assisi. Preserved in a nitrogen-filled plexiglass case placed before the altar, the display has drawn global attention, with around 400,000 visitors reserving a viewing slot.

This marks only the second time the saint’s remains have been shown publicly, the first being a limited one-day viewing in 1978. Born in Assisi in 1181 or 1182, Francis renounced his wealth to live a life of poverty and service, founding the Franciscan Order. He is revered as the patron saint of animals and the environment, and his feast day is observed annually on 4 October, the date of his death in 1226.

The exhibition also holds special resonance following the death of Pope Francis last year, who chose his papal name in honour of the saint and sought to emulate his humility and compassion. Organisers have confirmed that the relics will remain on display until 22 March, offering pilgrims and visitors a rare opportunity to pay homage to one of Christianity’s most venerated figures.

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Fresco Angel Face Scrubbed After Resemblance to Italian PM

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A restored fresco at Rome’s Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina has sparked controversy after the face of an angel was found to resemble Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The artist, Bruno Valentinetti, initially denied the claims but later admitted the likeness, stating it was similar to the original. Vatican authorities reportedly ordered the face to be scrubbed out, and church officials have confirmed it will be properly restored.

The fresco, painted in 2000 and not heritage-protected, is located in a chapel dedicated to Italy’s last king, Umberto II. The cherub in the fresco holds a map of Italy, and the altered image drew a stream of visitors eager to see the controversial work. Rome’s Cardinal Baldassare Reina criticized the incident, emphasizing that sacred art should not be misused or exploited.

The restoration has prompted stricter oversight, with the government agency managing Rome’s cultural sites requiring prior authorization and sketches for any future restoration work. Prime Minister Meloni herself reacted lightly on social media, joking that she was “definitely not like an angel.”

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Pope Leo Urges Russia and US to Renew New START Treaty

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Pope Leo XIV called on Russia and the United States to extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty, which limits the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by each country. Speaking at his weekly audience at the Vatican, the pope emphasized that the current global situation “calls for doing everything possible to avert a new arms race.”

Signed in 2010, the treaty is set to expire on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed an informal one-year extension in September, but as of Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump had not responded, raising concerns about the potential lapse of the agreement.

The pope described the renewal as urgent, stressing the need to replace “the logic of fear and distrust with a shared ethic” that prioritizes the common good. Letting the treaty expire would mark the end of over 50 years of nuclear weapons constraints, a significant step in global arms control.

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Pope Leo Urges Cardinals to Foster a More Inclusive Church

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Pope Leo XIV convened a two-day summit with 170 of the world’s 245 Catholic cardinals on Thursday, calling on senior clerics to avoid divisions and focus on attracting new believers to the 1.4-billion-member Church. He emphasized that the Church’s growth depends on spreading a message of God’s love for all and warned that division scatters while unity attracts.

The pope signaled continuity with the reforms of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who faced resistance from conservative cardinals while seeking to make Catholicism more inclusive, including welcoming LGBTQ Catholics and exploring women’s ordination. Leo encouraged the cardinals to work collectively to respond to the needs and desires of the Catholic faithful worldwide.

Opening his first full year as Church leader, Leo asked the cardinals for advice on priorities for the next two years, while urging them to keep discussions private for candid dialogue. British Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe highlighted the importance of unity, stressing that internal quarrels render the cardinals ineffective in supporting the Pope’s mission.

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Pope Leo Closes Holy Year, Calls for Compassion Toward Foreigners

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Pope Leo on Tuesday formally closed the Catholic Church’s Holy Year by sealing the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, urging Christians around the world to show greater kindness to those in need, especially foreigners and migrants. Speaking at a Vatican ceremony, he reflected on the record 33.5 million pilgrims who visited Rome during the jubilee, calling on them to recognise humanity in strangers rather than viewing people as commodities.

Highlighting themes that have defined the early months of his papacy, Leo criticised what he described as a distorted global economy that seeks to profit from everything, including human movement and aspiration. Dressed in gold-trimmed vestments, the pope shut the bronze Holy Door at 9:41 a.m., officially ending the jubilee year, which traditionally symbolises peace, forgiveness and renewal for Catholics.

The 2025 Holy Year was notable as a rare historical event, having been opened by Pope Francis and closed by his successor, following Francis’ death in April after 12 years as pontiff. Vatican officials said pilgrims arrived from 185 countries, led by Italy, the United States, Spain, Brazil and Poland. The next jubilee is not expected before 2033, when the Church may mark 2,000 years since the death of Jesus.

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