VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV met Thursday at the Vatican with the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, in one of his first audiences as pontiff that reaffirmed his appeal for a peaceful, negotiated end to Russia’s war.

Vice President JD Vance and First Lady Usha Vance will be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife as part of a U.S. delegation to attend Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass on Sunday.

In the One, We Are One – and images underscore how for him, “promoting unity and communion is fundamental.” Local parishes may now purchase the official portrait of our new Holy Father.

The newly named Leo will be a welcome voice, with a Midwestern accent, against the unchristian attitude of the present administration toward people fleeing oppression and persecution.

The Holy Father stressed that the Holy See ‘is always ready to help bring enemies together’ to dialogue and recover ‘the dignity of peace.’

Nevertheless, the women who have worked closely with Prevost in recent years have praised his leadership style, ability to listen and respect for their opinions. In interviews with The Associated Press, they say they expect that as pope, Leo will continue to promote women in church governance positions, albeit with limits.

It was the most electric thing I have ever experienced inside the walls of a Catholic church,” one protester recalls.

According to Father White, Father Prevost’s thesis has a vision that could be extended beyond the Augustinian rule and the role of the order’s prior to be applied to the episcopacy, and even to the papacy.