Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV is the current leader of the Catholic Church. He is making headlines for his strong stance on the ongoing war involving Iran, repeatedly calling for a ceasefire and urging leaders to pursue dialogue. He has warned that the conflict risks plunging the Middle East into an "irreparable abyss." Beyond international affairs, Pope Leo is also dealing with internal Church matters, including accepting the resignation of a California bishop accused of embezzling funds. He has also appointed a new Vatican ambassador to the US amid strained relations. While he is vocal on some issues, he has declined to comment on the sentencing of a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong. He is scheduled to make his first pastoral visit to Africa in April, traveling to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.