United News of Bangladesh

Pope Leo XIV spent much of his first year as pope trying to present himself as a calm pastor focused on unity and peace, but repeated public disagreements with US President Donald Trump often pulled him into global political debates. As Leo marked the first anniversary of his election on Friday, the Vatican was also working to ease tensions with Washington following months of exchanges between the pope and Trump over issues including war, peace and international conflicts. On the eve of the anniversary, Leo met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican in what was seen as an effort to improve relations between the United States and the Holy See. Although both sides later highlighted strong diplomatic ties, the public disagreements pushed the first American pope into a more political spotlight than he appeared comfortable with. Earlier this week, Leo responded sharply after Trump reportedly misrepresented his comments, saying: “If someone wants to criticize me for announcing the Gospel, let him do it with the truth.” Despite the occasional strong response, Leo has largely developed a reputation as a soft-spoken and reserved church leader focused on pastoral work rather than confrontation. The former Robert Prevost, a 70-year-old missionary priest from Chicago, is known for his calm personality, interest in tennis and deep knowledge of the teachings of St. Augustine. Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, whose 12-year papacy often sparked debate and tension, Leo has focused on reducing divisions within the Catholic Church and promoting harmony. Church leaders say he has helped calm tensions between conservative and progressive groups at a time when social media has deepened divisions among Catholics. Cardinal Wilton Gregory said Leo’s biggest challenge is maintaining unity within the church in an increasingly polarized world. “He has to call us to our better angels,” Gregory said. During a recent visit to Africa, Leo tried to avoid escalating the public dispute with Trump, saying his main role was to serve as a pastor and encourage Catholics, not engage in political arguments. The election of an American pope remains historic for many Catholics, as previous church traditions generally avoided choosing a pope from the world’s most powerful political country. Observers say Leo’s American background has also helped many US Catholics connect more closely with the Vatican. Kerry Alys Robinson said hearing the pope speak directly in English without translation has strengthened his message among American Catholics. Some Catholic groups in the United States also say donations and support for church projects have increased since Leo became pope. Ward Fitzgerald said an English-speaking pope has made church messages more relatable, especially for young people and donors. Last week, members of The Papal Foundation attended a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who compared Leo to St. Joseph for his quiet and focused leadership style. Dolan described Leo as a humble and mission-driven leader who remains attentive to God’s plan despite growing global attention.

Pope Leo XIV, in his first Sunday blessing at the Vatican, made a heartfelt appeal to world leaders for an end to war. Addressing thousands in St Peter’s Square, he called for a "lasting peace" in the Ukraine conflict, a ceasefire in Gaza, and praised a recent agreement between India and Pakistan reached on Saturday. During the address, he also led the faithful in the Regina Caeli prayer, paying tribute to the Virgin Mary. The day before, the newly elected pope visited a shrine outside Rome and offered prayers at the tomb of his predecessor, Pope Francis, inside the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. His formal inauguration is scheduled for 18 May in St Peter’s Square, where he will celebrate Mass and deliver a homily attended by numerous world leaders and dignitaries. South Korean conservative party fails in a bid to switch presidential candidates Pope Leo was elected on Thursday after a two-day conclave. Since then, he has led his first Mass as pope in the Sistine Chapel and held a meeting with cardinals, where he described himself as an "unworthy choice" for the papacy and pledged to uphold the "precious legacy" of his predecessor. He emphasized the importance of missionary outreach, dialogue, and compassion for society’s marginalized, saying the Church must care for "the least and the rejected." Pope Leo explained his chosen name was inspired by a 19th-century pope recognized for championing social justice. The pontiff also noted that modern developments, including artificial intelligence, make the Church's mission to defend human dignity and justice more vital than ever. He is expected to address the media on Monday ahead of his inauguration. At 69, Pope Leo becomes the 267th leader of the Catholic Church and its first American pontiff. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, he served for years as a missionary in Peru, where he also gained citizenship and later became an archbishop. Although American-born, the Vatican considers him the second pope from the Americas, following Pope Francis of Argentina. Seen as a moderate, Pope Leo is viewed as a figure of "continuity" and "unity" after the recent passing of Francis. He shares many of his predecessor’s views on migrants, poverty, and environmental issues. In his first public message, Pope Leo told the crowd he hoped "to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice." Source: BBC