Joshua McElwee
@joshmcelwee.org
Vatican correspondent for Reuters. I travel with the pope sometimes. Dual US/EU national. Web: joshmcelwee.org.
Pope Leo on Friday sent best wishes to the athletes preparing to compete in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and reiterated his call for world leaders to use the Games to promote peace efforts and de-escalate the world's violent conflicts. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo wishes good luck to Milano Cortina athletes
Pope Leo on Friday sent best wishes to the athletes preparing to compete in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and reiterated his call for world leaders to use the Games to promote peace efforts and d...
www.reuters.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Pope Leo on Friday sent best wishes to the athletes preparing to compete in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and reiterated his call for world leaders to use the Games to promote peace efforts and de-escalate the world's violent conflicts. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo will likely travel to Peru in November, the president of the nation's Catholic bishops said on Wednesday, for a visit expected to draw large crowds to see a pontiff who was a missionary in the South American country for decades. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo likely to visit Peru in November, bishop says
Pope Leo will likely travel to Peru in November, the president of the nation's Catholic bishops said on Wednesday, for a visit expected to draw large crowds to see a pontiff who was a missionary in th...
www.reuters.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Pope Leo will likely travel to Peru in November, the president of the nation's Catholic bishops said on Wednesday, for a visit expected to draw large crowds to see a pontiff who was a missionary in the South American country for decades. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo on Wednesday urged leaders in Russia and the United States to renew their last nuclear arms control treaty, New START, which caps the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by each country. @reuters.com
Pope Leo urges Russia and US to renew last nuclear arms treaty
Pope Leo on Wednesday urged leaders in Russia and the United States to renew their last arms control treaty, New START, which caps the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by each country.
www.reuters.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Pope Leo on Wednesday urged leaders in Russia and the United States to renew their last nuclear arms control treaty, New START, which caps the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by each country. @reuters.com
Sometimes even God needs a bit of a makeover. Michelangelo's "Last Judgment", a Renaissance masterwork in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel that depicts the Second Coming of Jesus, is undergoing its first restoration in 30 years. @reuters.com
Jesus gets a makeover as Sistine Chapel artwork undergoes restoration
Sometimes even God needs a bit of a makeover.
www.reuters.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Sometimes even God needs a bit of a makeover. Michelangelo's "Last Judgment", a Renaissance masterwork in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel that depicts the Second Coming of Jesus, is undergoing its first restoration in 30 years. @reuters.com
Pope Leo said on Sunday he was deeply concerned about rising tensions between the United States and Cuba, and he called for "sincere and effective dialogue" to prevent violence and further suffering for the Cuban people. @reuters.com
Pope Leo urges US and Cuba to engage in sincere dialogue
Pope Leo said on Sunday he was deeply concerned about rising tensions between the United States and Cuba, and he called for "sincere and effective dialogue" to prevent violence and further suffering f...
www.reuters.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Pope Leo said on Sunday he was deeply concerned about rising tensions between the United States and Cuba, and he called for "sincere and effective dialogue" to prevent violence and further suffering for the Cuban people. @reuters.com
Pope Leo appealed against the global rise of antisemitism on Wednesday, marking the annual commemoration of the Holocaust during his weekly audience at the Vatican with a prayer for a world without prejudice or racism. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo appeals against rising anti-Semitism in weekly audience
Pope Leo appealed against the global rise of anti-Semitism on Wednesday, marking the annual commemoration of the Holocaust during his weekly audience at the Vatican with a prayer for a world without p...
www.reuters.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Pope Leo appealed against the global rise of antisemitism on Wednesday, marking the annual commemoration of the Holocaust during his weekly audience at the Vatican with a prayer for a world without prejudice or racism. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo is among world leaders invited to join U.S. President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace", Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomatic official, said on Wednesday. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo invited to join Trump's 'Board of Peace', cardinal says
Pope Leo is among world leaders invited to join U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomatic official, said on Wednesday.
www.reuters.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Pope Leo is among world leaders invited to join U.S. President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace", Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomatic official, said on Wednesday. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo plans to visit Angola as part of a multi-nation trip across Africa, the Vatican's ambassador to the country announced on Tuesday, in what could be the pontiff's first overseas trip in 2026. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo to visit Angola as part of an Africa tour, Vatican envoy says
Pope Leo plans to visit Angola as part of a multi-nation trip across Africa, the Vatican's ambassador to the country announced on Tuesday, in what could be the pontiff's first overseas trip in 2026.
www.reuters.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Pope Leo plans to visit Angola as part of a multi-nation trip across Africa, the Vatican's ambassador to the country announced on Tuesday, in what could be the pontiff's first overseas trip in 2026. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo met Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel peace prize winner Maria Corina Machado on Monday, the Vatican said, but did not provide any further details. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo meets Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at Vatican
Pope Leo met Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel peace prize winner Maria Corina Machado on Monday, the Vatican said, but did not provide any further details.
www.reuters.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Pope Leo met Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel peace prize winner Maria Corina Machado on Monday, the Vatican said, but did not provide any further details. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo decried the use of military force as a means of achieving diplomatic goals on Friday, delivering an unusually fiery annual foreign policy speech in which he also called for human rights to be respected in Venezuela. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo decries 'diplomacy based on force' in speech to Vatican envoys
Pope Leo decried the use of military force as a means of achieving diplomatic goals, in an unusually sharp annual foreign policy speech on Friday in which he also called for the safeguarding of human ...
www.reuters.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Pope Leo decried the use of military force as a means of achieving diplomatic goals on Friday, delivering an unusually fiery annual foreign policy speech in which he also called for human rights to be respected in Venezuela. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo met on Thursday with the world's Catholic cardinals as part of a two-day summit, urging the senior clerics to shun divisions in the 1.4-billion-member Church and focus on attracting new believers. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo urges Catholic cardinals to create more inclusive Church
Pope Leo met on Thursday with the world's Catholic cardinals as part of a two-day summit, urging the senior clerics to shun divisions in the 1.4-billion-member Church and focus on attracting new belie...
www.reuters.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Pope Leo met on Thursday with the world's Catholic cardinals as part of a two-day summit, urging the senior clerics to shun divisions in the 1.4-billion-member Church and focus on attracting new believers. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo closed the Catholic Church's Holy Year on Tuesday by sealing shut the special "Holy Door" in St. Peter's Basilica and urging Christians worldwide to help those in need and treat foreigners with kindness. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo, closing Catholic Holy Year, urges kindness to foreigners
Pope Leo closed the Catholic Church's Holy Year on Tuesday by sealing shut the special "Holy Door" in St. Peter's Basilica and urging Christians worldwide to help those in need and treat foreigners wi...
reuters.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Pope Leo closed the Catholic Church's Holy Year on Tuesday by sealing shut the special "Holy Door" in St. Peter's Basilica and urging Christians worldwide to help those in need and treat foreigners with kindness. For @reuters.com
About 33.5 million pilgrims came to Rome in 2025 for the Catholic Holy Year, Vatican and Italian officials said on Monday, marking a record number of yearly visitors and a boon for local tourist shops, museums and restaurants. For @reuters.com
Rome welcomed record 33.5 million pilgrims for Catholic Holy Year
About 33.5 million pilgrims came to Rome in 2025 for the Catholic Holy Year, Vatican and Italian officials said on Monday, marking a record number of yearly visitors and a boon for local tourist shops...
www.reuters.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:48 PM
About 33.5 million pilgrims came to Rome in 2025 for the Catholic Holy Year, Vatican and Italian officials said on Monday, marking a record number of yearly visitors and a boon for local tourist shops, museums and restaurants. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo called for Venezuela to remain an independent nation and said he was following developments after the United States' toppling of President Nicolas Maduro with a "soul full of concern" on Sunday. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo calls for Venezuela to remain an independent country
Pope Leo called for Venezuela to remain an independent nation and said he was following developments after the United States' toppling of President Nicolas Maduro with a "soul full of concern" on Sund...
www.reuters.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Pope Leo called for Venezuela to remain an independent nation and said he was following developments after the United States' toppling of President Nicolas Maduro with a "soul full of concern" on Sunday. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo in his first Christmas blessing on Thursday lamented the situation for migrants and refugees who "traverse the American continent". For @reuters.com
In first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo decries conditions for Palestinians in Gaza
Pope Leo decried conditions for Palestinians in Gaza in his Christmas sermon on Thursday, in an unusually direct appeal during what is normally a solemn, spiritual service on the day Christians across...
www.reuters.com
December 25, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Pope Leo in his first Christmas blessing on Thursday lamented the situation for migrants and refugees who "traverse the American continent". For @reuters.com
Pope Leo decried conditions for Palestinians in Gaza in his Christmas sermon on Thursday, in an unusually direct appeal during what is normally a solemn, spiritual service on the day Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus. For @reuters.com:
In first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo decries conditions for Palestinians in Gaza
Pope Leo decried conditions for Palestinians in Gaza in his Christmas sermon on Thursday, in an unusually direct appeal during what is normally a solemn, spiritual service on the day Christians across...
www.reuters.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Pope Leo decried conditions for Palestinians in Gaza in his Christmas sermon on Thursday, in an unusually direct appeal during what is normally a solemn, spiritual service on the day Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo, on Christmas Eve, says denying help to poor is rejecting God
Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and stra...
www.reuters.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo on Tuesday criticized the governor of the U.S. state of Illinois for signing a bill to allow some adults with a terminal illness to end their own lives with medical help, in an unusual political intervention by the church leader. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo 'disappointed' in Illinois governor over assisted dying law
Pope Leo on Tuesday criticized the governor of the U.S. state of Illinois for signing a bill to allow some adults with a terminal illness to end their own lives with medical help, in an unusual politi...
www.reuters.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Pope Leo on Tuesday criticized the governor of the U.S. state of Illinois for signing a bill to allow some adults with a terminal illness to end their own lives with medical help, in an unusual political intervention by the church leader. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo said on Tuesday that he feels "much sadness" that Russia did not agree to a Christmas ceasefire in its nearly four-year old war with Ukraine. @reuters.com
Pope Leo expresses 'much sadness' about Russia refusing Christmas ceasefire
Pope Leo said on Tuesday that he feels "much sadness" that Russia did not agree to a Christmas ceasefire in its nearly four-year old war with Ukraine.
www.reuters.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Pope Leo said on Tuesday that he feels "much sadness" that Russia did not agree to a Christmas ceasefire in its nearly four-year old war with Ukraine. @reuters.com
Most of Pope Leo's appointments for Catholic bishops in the U.S. have called for better treatment of immigrants in the country, in a trend that may shape how the national Church responds to the Trump administration's divisive anti-immigration policies. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo's new US bishops are critics of Trump's migrant crackdown
In diverse statements, some have called the Trump policies cruel; others have urged the administration to use due process before deporting immigrants.
www.reuters.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Most of Pope Leo's appointments for Catholic bishops in the U.S. have called for better treatment of immigrants in the country, in a trend that may shape how the national Church responds to the Trump administration's divisive anti-immigration policies. For @reuters.com
Reposted by Joshua McElwee
Pope Leo urges joyful, welcoming Church in speech to Vatican cardinals reut.rs/4b15hCs
Pope Leo urges joyful, welcoming Church in speech to Vatican cardinals
Pope Leo indicated on Monday that he plans to follow the reform agenda of his predecessor Francis, praising the late pontiff's attempts to make the global Catholic Church more inclusive in an annual Christmas address to Vatican cardinals.
reut.rs
December 22, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Pope Leo urges joyful, welcoming Church in speech to Vatican cardinals reut.rs/4b15hCs
Pope Leo indicated on Monday that he plans to follow the reform agenda of his predecessor Francis, praising the late pontiff's attempts to make the global Catholic Church more inclusive in an annual Christmas address to Vatican cardinals. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo urges joyful, welcoming Church in speech to Vatican cardinals
Pope Leo indicated on Monday that he plans to follow the reform agenda of his predecessor Francis, praising the late pontiff's attempts to make the global Catholic Church more inclusive in an annual C...
www.reuters.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Pope Leo indicated on Monday that he plans to follow the reform agenda of his predecessor Francis, praising the late pontiff's attempts to make the global Catholic Church more inclusive in an annual Christmas address to Vatican cardinals. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo replaced Cardinal Timothy Dolan as the leader of the Catholic Church in New York, the Vatican announced on Thursday, sidelining a prominent U.S. Church figure in a major shake-up of the country's Catholic leadership. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo replaces New York's Cardinal Dolan in shake-up of US Church
Pope Leo replaced Cardinal Timothy Dolan as the leader of the Catholic Church in New York, the Vatican announced on Thursday, sidelining a prominent U.S. Church figure in a major shake-up of the count...
www.reuters.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Pope Leo replaced Cardinal Timothy Dolan as the leader of the Catholic Church in New York, the Vatican announced on Thursday, sidelining a prominent U.S. Church figure in a major shake-up of the country's Catholic leadership. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo on Thursday decried political leaders who invoke religious beliefs to justify conflicts or nationalist policies, calling that a form of blasphemy, or a serious sin that disrespects or insults God. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo decries leaders who invoke religion for violence and nationalism
Pope Leo on Thursday decried political leaders who invoke religious beliefs to justify conflicts or nationalist policies, calling that a form of blasphemy, or a serious sin that disrespects or insults...
www.reuters.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Pope Leo on Thursday decried political leaders who invoke religious beliefs to justify conflicts or nationalist policies, calling that a form of blasphemy, or a serious sin that disrespects or insults God. For @reuters.com
A high-level Vatican commission voted against allowing Catholic women to serve as deacons, maintaining the global Church's practice of all-male clergy, according to a report given to Pope Leo and released on Thursday. For @reuters.com:
Vatican commission says 'no' to women as Catholic deacons
A high-level Vatican commission voted against allowing Catholic women to serve as deacons, maintaining the global Church's practice of all-male clergy, according to a report given to Pope Leo and rele...
www.reuters.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:51 PM
A high-level Vatican commission voted against allowing Catholic women to serve as deacons, maintaining the global Church's practice of all-male clergy, according to a report given to Pope Leo and released on Thursday. For @reuters.com: