Thousands attend Pope Leo's first Angelus prayer
"I am happy to be among you... and thank you all for your warm welcome," the Pope declared, standing outside the gates of the Apostolic Palace, flanked by two Swiss Guards in full dress uniform.
Arriving on July 6, Leo is taking a two-week break at the Castel Gandolfo, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of Rome, reviving it as a summer papal residence.
His predecessor, Pope Francis, preferred to stay at the Vatican for the summer.
Undeterred by rainy weather, thousands of people crowded the streets of the village, perched on a hilltop and overlooking a lake, to get a glimpse of the new pope as he delivered for the first time the Angelus prayer, which popes usually deliver every Sunday.
The pope presided over mass in the Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova, before crossing the square to the cheers of the crowd.
"Let us not forget to pray for peace and for all those who find themselves in suffering and need because of war," he said.
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Washington Post
3 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Saving Istanbul's ancient structures from the next big earthquake
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Map depicting the tectonic plates over the Mediterranean region Seismic hazard Low High ARABIAN PLATE Ankara Istanbul Tel Aviv AEGEAN PLATE Cairo Athens AFRICAN PLATE Seismic hazard Low High ARABIAN PLATE Ankara Damascus Istanbul Tel Aviv AEGEAN PLATE Cairo Athens AFRICAN PLATE Istanbul Rome Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus AFRICAN PLATE Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul Rome Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus AFRICAN PLATE Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul Rome Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE AFRICAN PLATE Damascus Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul Rome Athens Ankara AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Map transition, showing directional forces of the Anatolian plate Seismic hazard Low High ARABIAN PLATE Feb. 2023 earthquakes Ankara Istanbul Tel Aviv AEGEAN PLATE Cairo Athens AFRICAN PLATE Seismic hazard Low High ARABIAN PLATE 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Ankara Damascus Istanbul Tel Aviv AEGEAN PLATE Cairo Athens AFRICAN PLATE Istanbul 6.2 magnitude April 23 Rome 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus AFRICAN PLATE Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul 6.2 magnitude April 23 Rome 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus AFRICAN PLATE Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul 6.2 magnitude April 23 Rome 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Ankara Athens AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE AFRICAN PLATE Damascus Tel Aviv Amman Cairo Istanbul 6.2 magnitude April 23 Rome 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude Feb. 6, 2023 Athens Ankara AEGEAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE Damascus Tel Aviv Amman Cairo The Anatolian plate, which encompasses almost the entire country of Turkey, is squeezed between the African, Arabian and Eurasian plates. 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Workers began replacing the lead coatings on the domes, upgrading the steel framework and reinforcing the exterior to protect the ancient mosaics on the inside. Previously, central government and city officials have taken different approaches to renovation and restoration work in Istanbul. In 2020, the AKP-controlled central government took over restoration of the Galata Tower from the city; the municipality later accused it of mismanagement. The interior of the Hagia Sophia, which was built as a church, then converted into a mosque by the Ottomans, then turned into a museum during the republic and back into a mosque by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Hagia Sophia was the principal mosque of Istanbul from 1453 to 1616. Most of the buttresses were added by Mimar Sinan in the Ottoman era. The upper gallery is where tourists visit to see mosaics, and the lower gallery is used as a mosque. LEFT: The Hagia Sophia was the principal mosque of Istanbul from 1453 to 1616. Most of the buttresses were added by Mimar Sinan in the Ottoman era. RIGHT: The upper gallery is where tourists visit to see mosaics, and the lower gallery is used as a mosque. 'There are 36,000 historical buildings in Istanbul,' said Mahir Polat, the cultural head of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. 'Those that we do try to protect, we want to do it as a model for the rest of Turkey.' (Polat was recently placed under house arrest as part of a broader crackdown on figures close to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival of Erdogan. The Post interviewed him before his detention.) 'We want to preserve this place forever,' Polat said. Basilica Cistern The Basilica Cistern, the largest ancient cistern beneath the city, is held up by more than 330 massive columns and was built in the 6th century. Some of these columns come from older Roman structures. 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Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pope Leo's Comments On Israel Striking Gaza's Only Catholic Church Are Going Mega Viral
Yesterday, it was announced that the Holy Family Church — a shelter and place of worship for Catholics in Gaza — was struck by Israel amid the continuing Israel-Palestine conflict. Three people were killed. Related: Soon after, the office of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement saying, 'Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy.' 'Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites,' it continued. Related: Well, as head of the Catholic church, Pope Leo released his own statement about the tragedy on X (formerly known as Twitter.) I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in #Gaza. I assure the parish community of my spiritual closeness. I commend the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, and pray for… — Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) July 17, 2025 Twitter: @Pontifex "I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in #Gaza," he wrote. "I assure the parish community of my spiritual closeness. I commend the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, and pray for their families and the injured. I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire. Only dialogue and reconciliation can ensure enduring peace!" Related: The post has been viewed by over five million people. Related: Further, NBC reports that during a Friday morning call between Pope Leo and Netanyahu, the pope relayed the importance of a ceasefire and end to the war in Gaza... ...and expressed that places of worship, worshippers, and citizens on the ground in both Palestine and Israel should be protected. What are your thoughts? Please share in the comments. Also in In the News: Also in In the News: Also in In the News:
Washington Post
18 hours ago
- Washington Post
Pope Leo XIV renews his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Leo XIV renewed his call on Sunday for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza , asking the international community to respect international laws and the obligation to protect civilians. 'I once again call for an immediate end to the barbarity of this war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict,' the pontiff said at the end of his Sunday Angelus prayer from his summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.
