Joshua McElwee
@joshmcelwee.org
Vatican correspondent for Reuters. I travel with the pope sometimes. Dual US/EU national. Web: joshmcelwee.org.
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...
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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...
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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...
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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:
Pope Leo revealed on Tuesday that at the moment of his election as leader of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church, he turned to God with a simple message: "You're in charge and you lead the way". For @reuters.com
At the moment he was elected, Pope Leo told God: 'You're in charge'
Pope Leo revealed on Tuesday that at the moment of his election as leader of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church, he turned to God with a simple message: "You're in charge and you lead the way".
www.reuters.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Pope Leo revealed on Tuesday that at the moment of his election as leader of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church, he turned to God with a simple message: "You're in charge and you lead the way". For @reuters.com
Pope Leo urged U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday not to try to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro using military force. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo urges US not to attempt military ouster of Venezuela's Maduro
Pope Leo urged U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday not to try to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro using military force.
www.reuters.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Pope Leo urged U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday not to try to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro using military force. For @reuters.com
BEIRUT - Pope Leo made a fervent appeal to Lebanon's diverse communities to unite to solve the crisis-hit country's myriad problems at a Mass on Tuesday attended by tens of thousands which wrapped up his first overseas trip as Catholic leader. For @reuters.com
Pope urges crowds in Lebanon to fix troubled country at last overseas event
Pope Leo made a fervent appeal to Lebanon's diverse communities to unite to solve the crisis-hit country's myriad problems at a Mass on Tuesday attended by tens of thousands which wrapped up his first...
www.reuters.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:50 AM
BEIRUT - Pope Leo made a fervent appeal to Lebanon's diverse communities to unite to solve the crisis-hit country's myriad problems at a Mass on Tuesday attended by tens of thousands which wrapped up his first overseas trip as Catholic leader. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo urged leaders from Lebanon's many diverse religious sects on Monday to unite to heal the country after years of conflict, political paralysis and economic crisis that have prompted waves of migration abroad. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo, in crisis-hit Lebanon, urges faith leaders to unite for peace
Pope Leo
urged leaders from Lebanon's many diverse religious sects on Monday to unite to heal the country after years of conflict, political paralysis and economic crisis that have prompted waves of ...
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December 1, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Pope Leo urged leaders from Lebanon's many diverse religious sects on Monday to unite to heal the country after years of conflict, political paralysis and economic crisis that have prompted waves of migration abroad. For @reuters.com:
Reposted by Joshua McElwee
Pope pushes peace message on second day in crisis-hit Lebanon reut.rs/3XrMd8I
Pope pushes peace message on second day in crisis-hit Lebanon
Pope Leo will meet leaders from Lebanon's diverse religious sects on Monday and is expected to urge Lebanese not to abandon their country despite years of conflict, political paralysis and economic crisis that have prompted waves of migration.
reut.rs
December 1, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Pope pushes peace message on second day in crisis-hit Lebanon reut.rs/3XrMd8I
Pope Leo will meet leaders from Lebanon's diverse religious sects on Monday and is expected to urge Lebanese not to abandon their country despite years of conflict, political paralysis and economic crisis that have prompted waves of migration. For @reuters.com:
Pope pushes peace message on second day in crisis-hit Lebanon
Pope Leo will meet leaders from Lebanon's diverse religious sects on Monday and is expected to urge Lebanese not to abandon their country despite years of conflict, political paralysis and economic cr...
www.reuters.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Pope Leo will meet leaders from Lebanon's diverse religious sects on Monday and is expected to urge Lebanese not to abandon their country despite years of conflict, political paralysis and economic crisis that have prompted waves of migration. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo urged political leaders in Lebanon on Sunday to make peace their highest priority in a forceful appeal in a country that remains a target of Israeli airstrikes on the second leg of his first overseas trip as Catholic leader. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo takes peace message to Lebanon, target of Israeli strikes
Pope Leourged political leaders in Lebanon on Sunday to make peace their highest priority in a forceful appeal in a country that remains a target of Israeli airstrikes on the second leg of his first o...
www.reuters.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Pope Leo urged political leaders in Lebanon on Sunday to make peace their highest priority in a forceful appeal in a country that remains a target of Israeli airstrikes on the second leg of his first overseas trip as Catholic leader. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo said on Sunday that the only solution in the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people must include a Palestinian state, reaffirming the Vatican's position in his first in-flight press conference. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo: Palestinian state 'only' solution to Israeli conflict
Pope Leo said on Sunday that the only solution in the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people must include a Palestinian state, reaffirming the Vatican's position.
www.reuters.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Pope Leo said on Sunday that the only solution in the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people must include a Palestinian state, reaffirming the Vatican's position in his first in-flight press conference. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo visited Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque on Saturday, removing his shoes in a sign of respect but not appearing to pray in his first visit as leader of the Catholic Church to a Muslim place of worship during his four-day visit to Turkey. For @reuters.com:
Pope removes shoes but doesn't pray on visit to Istanbul's Blue Mosque
Pope Leo visited Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque on Saturday, removing his shoes in a sign of respect but not appearing to pray in his first visit as leader of the Catholic Church to a Muslim place of wo...
www.reuters.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Pope Leo visited Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque on Saturday, removing his shoes in a sign of respect but not appearing to pray in his first visit as leader of the Catholic Church to a Muslim place of worship during his four-day visit to Turkey. For @reuters.com:
Pope Leo condemned violence in the name of religion on Friday at a landmark event with Christian leaders from across the Middle East, urging them during his first overseas trip as leader of the Catholic Church to overcome centuries of heated divisions. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo meets Middle East Christian leaders, condemns religious violence
Pope Leo condemned violence in the name of religion on Friday at a landmark event with Christian leaders from across the Middle East, urging them during his first overseas trip as leader of the Cathol...
www.reuters.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Pope Leo condemned violence in the name of religion on Friday at a landmark event with Christian leaders from across the Middle East, urging them during his first overseas trip as leader of the Catholic Church to overcome centuries of heated divisions. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo lamented that the world was seeing an unusual number of bloody conflicts during his first trip outside Italy as Catholic leader on Thursday, and he warned that a third world war was being "fought piecemeal" with humanity's future at risk. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo warns of conflicts endangering humanity on first overseas trip
Pope Leo lamented that the world was seeing an unusual number of bloody conflicts during his first trip outside Italy as Catholic leader on Thursday, and he warned that a third world war was being "fo...
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Pope Leo lamented that the world was seeing an unusual number of bloody conflicts during his first trip outside Italy as Catholic leader on Thursday, and he warned that a third world war was being "fought piecemeal" with humanity's future at risk. For @reuters.com
Like many Americans on the annual holiday of Thanksgiving, Pope Leo was travelling on Thursday, flying from Rome to Turkey for his first overseas trip as leader of the Catholic Church. But thankfully, he got some pumpkin pie. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo, flying on Thanksgiving, given two pumpkin pies on papal plane
Like many Americans on the annual holiday of Thanksgiving, Pope Leo was travelling on Thursday, flying from Rome to Turkey for his first overseas trip as leader of the Catholic Church.
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Like many Americans on the annual holiday of Thanksgiving, Pope Leo was travelling on Thursday, flying from Rome to Turkey for his first overseas trip as leader of the Catholic Church. But thankfully, he got some pumpkin pie. For @reuters.com
The Vatican closed 2024 with a budget surplus of 1.6 million euros ($1.85 million), it said on Wednesday, signalling a turnaround after years of deficits that had frustrated Church leaders, including the late Pope Francis. For @reuters.com:
www.reuters.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The Vatican closed 2024 with a budget surplus of 1.6 million euros ($1.85 million), it said on Wednesday, signalling a turnaround after years of deficits that had frustrated Church leaders, including the late Pope Francis. For @reuters.com:
Happily ever after doesn't require any complicated maths, the Vatican said on Tuesday -- for Catholics, one spouse is enough. For @reuters.com
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November 25, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Happily ever after doesn't require any complicated maths, the Vatican said on Tuesday -- for Catholics, one spouse is enough. For @reuters.com