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Clément Melki

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Pope Leo marks first Easter under cloud of Mideast war

by Clément Melki - April 5, 2026 - 10:30am

Pope Leo leads torch-lit Colosseum procession before Easter

by Clément Melki - April 4, 2026 - 11:54am

Pope Leo XIV led a torch-lit procession at the Colosseum in Rome on Friday as he prepares for his first Easter as pontiff in the shadow of war in the Middle East.

Pope Leo XIV urges Russia, Ukraine dialogue in Christmas blessing

by Clément Melki - December 26, 2025 - 8:22am

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday urged Russia and Ukraine to find the "courage" to hold direct talks and spoke of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza in his first Christmas message.

King Charles, Pope Leo pray together in historic first

by Clément Melki - October 24, 2025 - 8:31am

King Charles III on Thursday became the first head of the Church of England to pray publicly with a pope since the schism with Rome 500 years ago, in a service led by Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV officially declares Italian teen Carlo Acutis a saint

by Clément Melki - September 7, 2025 - 5:58pm

Tens of thousands of people gathered at the Vatican Sunday as Pope Leo XIV proclaimed the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, an Italian teenager dubbed "God's Influencer" for his efforts...

Catholic teen Carlo Acutis set to become first millennial saint

by Clément Melki - September 7, 2025 - 11:26am

Tens of thousands of pilgrims are expected at the Vatican Sunday for the canonization of an Italian teenager dubbed "God's Influencer" for his efforts to spread the Catholic faith online.

'Hug therapy': How Pope Leo is trying to unify Vatican

by Clément Melki - July 4, 2025 - 11:22am

Pope Leo XIV heads off on holiday on Sunday, having spent his first two months as Catholic leader rebuilding unity and bolstering tradition after his predecessor's unorthodox papacy.

First US Pope Leo XIV warns against exploitation at inaugural mass

by Clément Melki - May 18, 2025 - 6:09pm

Pope Leo XIV set the tone for his papacy Sunday with a call to stop exploiting nature and marginalising the poor, before an audience including JD Vance and tens of thousands of pilgrims.

First US pope Leo XIV takes to popemobile ahead of inaugural mass

by Clément Melki - May 18, 2025 - 3:52pm

Pope Leo XIV, the first US pontiff, made his debut tour of St Peter's Square on Sunday in a popemobile, greeting tens of thousands of pilgrims and well-wishers ahead of his inauguration mass.

First US pope Leo XIV to celebrate inaugural mass

by Clément Melki - May 18, 2025 - 11:15am

Tens of thousands of Catholics and politicians including US Vice President JD Vance will gather at the Vatican on Sunday for the inauguration mass of Leo XIV, the first US pope.

Abuse, rifts and diplomacy: Pope Leo XIV's challenges

by Clément Melki - May 10, 2025 - 9:54am

The Catholic world is closely watching the first words and actions of Pope Leo XIV, the first US pope.

Vatican readies for conclave lockdown

by Clément Melki - May 7, 2025 - 3:01pm

The Sistine Chapel was decked out to host a papal election Tuesday as cardinals from around the globe moved into a Vatican guest house ahead of the conclave to choose Pope Francis's successor.

Vatican readies for conclave lockdown

by Clément Melki - May 7, 2025 - 9:28am

The Sistine Chapel was decked out to host a papal election Tuesday as cardinals from around the globe moved into a Vatican guest house ahead of the conclave to choose Pope Francis's successor.

Cardinals assemble to elect pope and set course for church

by Clément Melki - May 6, 2025 - 8:15am

All 133 Catholic cardinals who will vote for a new pope have arrived in Rome, the Vatican said on Monday, two days before they gather in a conclave to elect the next head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholic...

Cardinals lay groundwork for conclave, hope for quick vote

by Clément Melki - May 1, 2025 - 12:52pm

A week before the conclave to choose a new pope opens, preparatory talks intensified Wednesday as cardinals sounded out potential candidates -- with many hoping the election will be quick.

Pope Francis's funeral set for Saturday, world leaders expected

by Clément Melki - April 22, 2025 - 8:11pm

Pope Francis's funeral will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced, as world leaders from US President Donald Trump to Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky said they would attend to honor the Catholic leade...

Pope Francis death from a stroke sets off global tributes, mourning

by Clément Melki - April 22, 2025 - 9:16am

Pope Francis died of a stroke, the Vatican announced hours after the death on Monday of the 88-year-old reformer who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during 12 years leading the Catholic Church.

Clerical sex abuse: Pope Francis's thorniest challenge

by Clément Melki - April 21, 2025 - 7:22pm

When Pope Francis took over in 2013, the Catholic Church was embroiled in a global scandal over child sex abuse by priests, and the institution's attempts to cover it up.

Recovering pope expected to delight crowds at Easter Sunday mass

by Clément Melki - April 20, 2025 - 1:15pm

Pope Francis is expected to delight Catholics all over the world during Easter celebrations at the Vatican on Sunday, just weeks after he was fighting for his life in hospital while suffering from pneumonia.

Pope Francis leaves faithful guessing over Easter appearances

by Clément Melki - April 17, 2025 - 2:11pm

Pope Francis may be on the mend, but as Easter nears, Catholic faithful are wondering how much of the celebrations the 88-year-old will be able to take part in after battling life-threatening pneumonia.

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