Pope Leo XIV met with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the Vatican on Jan. 12, in an unscheduled audience later added to the official agenda. Machado, a key figure of the Venezuelan opposition and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has denounced the country’s humanitarian and institutional crisis. The Vatican released no details of the meeting, as the Pope continues to call for respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and human and civil rights.
The Pope’s new remarks on abortion are exactly what America needed to hear. 👏
Stop disguising the mass killing of God’s children as reproductive freedom.
Pope Leo XIV to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See:
“I would like to draw particular attention to the importance of international humanitarian law. Compliance with this cannot depend on mere circumstances and military or strategic interests. Humanitarian law, in addition to guaranteeing a minimum of humanity during the ravages of war, is a commitment that States have made. Such law must always prevail over the ambitions of belligerents, in order to mitigate the devastating effects of war, also with a view to reconstruction. We cannot ignore that the destruction of hospitals, energy infrastructure, homes and places essential to daily life constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law. The Holy See firmly reiterates its condemnation of any form of involvement of civilians in military operations. It likewise hopes that the international community will remember that the protection of the principle of the inviolability of human dignity and the sanctity of life always counts for more than any mere national interest.”
Pope Leo opened his heart to the young people of Rome, sharing a personal conversation he had with one of his nieces before meeting them during this special Saturday evening gathering. Inspired by the Jubilee of Youth, Rome’s teenagers and young people had asked to meet the Holy Father—and their request was joyfully answered. Paul VI Audience Hall was filled to capacity, with crowds spilling outside and into St. Peter’s Square. Speaking directly to their hopes and struggles, Pope Leo reminded them of a truth that sustains him and should inspire all of us, especially in difficulties: we are never alone, because “Jesus is with us.”
Breaking: Pope Leo XIV calls out "jihadist" violence.
Today he condemned anti-Christian violence globally and especially in Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Damascus.
JUST IN: Pope Leo XIV defends rights of people to refuse “to engage in
practices such as abortion or euthanasia.”
Also warns “a new Orwellian-style language is developing”
Leo is delivering his annual State of the World Address today to diplomats at the Holy See
Let us #PrayTogether that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church. #PrayerIntention@clicktopray_en
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Pope Leo XIV was moved almost to tears by the warmth with which the Turkish people welcomed him. 🤍
His face shows exactly what his heart felt in that moment 🥹🥹