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Vatican

The Vatican is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and its head, the pope.

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Pope Leo waves at participants of the Catholic Chruch's Jubilee youth mass from atop a white vehicle

Pope Leo waves at participants of the Catholic Chruch's Jubilee youth mass from atop a white vehicle

Rome: Over 1 million gather at Pope Leo's youth mass

At Sunday's Jubilee mass, Pope Leo XIV urged young Catholics not to lose hope amid wars like those in Ukraine and Gaza.

A view of Pope Leo XIV delivering a speech

A view of Pope Leo XIV delivering a speech

Vatican welcomes young Catholic influencers

With church attendance declining, the Vatican is hoping young Christian content creators can help spread the faith.

Pope Leo XIV (l) greets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (r) at the Vatican with a handshake and a smile as several other people can be seen behind them

Pope Leo XIV (l) greets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (r) at the Vatican with a handshake and a smile as several other people can be seen behind them

Pope Leo warns leaders about pitfalls of AI

Leo XIV warned politicians in Rome that AI is a tool and that "our personal life has greater value than any algorithm."

A religious bystander looks on as Argentina's President Javier Milei (left), Pope Leo XIV, (center) and Milei's sister Karina (right) inspect objects on a desk at the Vatican on June 7, 2025.

A religious bystander looks on as Argentina's President Javier Milei (left), Pope Leo XIV, (center) and Milei's sister Karina (right) inspect objects on a desk at the Vatican on June 7, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV welcomes Argentine President Milei to Vatican

Pope Leo welcomed Javier Milei, who viciously attacked his predecessor Francis in online tirades.

left to right: Second lady Usha Vance, Vice President JD Vance, Pope Leo XIV. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio May 19, 2025

left to right: Second lady Usha Vance, Vice President JD Vance, Pope Leo XIV. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio May 19, 2025

Ukraine and Russia: Will the Vatican become a mediator?

Although many signs point to the Vatican as a neutral location for both sides to engage in talks, reservations remain.

Pope Leo (R) and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy (L) shake hands

Pope Leo (R) and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy (L) shake hands

Could Pope Leo mediate between Russia and Ukraine?

Should negotiations happen, they would be within a long tradition of papal peace-making.

In a church, Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi speaks into a DW microphone

In a church, Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi speaks into a DW microphone

Ukrainian bishop: 'Neutrality of the Vatican can help'

DW asked the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine for his thoughts on Ukraine peace talks in the Vatican.

Two men and two women sit in a TV studio; another man appears on a screen in the background

Two men and two women sit in a TV studio; another man appears on a screen in the background

Trump and Pope Leo XIV: Two Americans for peace?

Are Trump and Pope Leo XIV working together in their efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine?

View of an image of the Divino Nino del Milagro (Divine Child of the Miracle) displayed at the Santa Maria Magdalena church in the Eten district.

View of an image of the Divino Nino del Milagro (Divine Child of the Miracle) displayed at the Santa Maria Magdalena church in the Eten district.

Peru's Jesus miracle awaits pope blessing

Believers in Eten celebrate a 17th-century miracle still unrecognized by the Vatican. But a new pope has rekindled hope.

Pope Leo XIV. greeting members of the press

Pope Leo XIV. greeting members of the press

Crowds gather at Vatican for inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV

Leo XIV has assumed his duties as head of the Catholic Church. Will he continue on the path of the late Pope Francis?

A tall man in a suit (professional tennis player Jannik Sinner) laughs with a short man dressed in white (Pope Leo XIV) as both hold tennis rackets, people and a painting can be seen in the background

A tall man in a suit (professional tennis player Jannik Sinner) laughs with a short man dressed in white (Pope Leo XIV) as both hold tennis rackets, people and a painting can be seen in the background

Pope welcomes tennis star Sinner to Vatican

Pope Leo XIV was gifted a tennis racket by world number one player Jannik Sinner on Wednesday.

Pope Leo XIV appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on May 11, 2025

Pope Leo XIV appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on May 11, 2025

Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in first Sunday address

The new pontiff spoke about the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Pakistan and India in his first Sunday blessing.

Pope Leo addresses the crowd for the first time, his hands held to his mouth in prayer

Pope Leo addresses the crowd for the first time, his hands held to his mouth in prayer

What challenges await Pope Leo?

The new pope looks set to focus on peace, the climate and technology. But abuse scandals will remain a hot-button issue.

Pope Leo XIV meets the College of Cardinals in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican, Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV meets the College of Cardinals in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican, Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV signals intention to walk in Francis' footsteps

In his first meeting of cardinals as pope, the American pontiff praised the legacy of the late Pope Francis.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica, his hands above his hands, greeting the crowd

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica, his hands above his hands, greeting the crowd

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

The newly anointed pope, Leo XIV, left a lasting impression in one South American country. A closer look at his career.

Cardinal Robert Prevost of the US appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, May 8, 2025

Cardinal Robert Prevost of the US appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, May 8, 2025

Habemus Papam: US-born Robert Prevost is Pope Leo XIV

Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, is the first pope from the US but he also holds Peruvian citizenship.

White smoke comes out of Vatican's chimney.

White smoke comes out of Vatican's chimney.

Pope signal: How does the Vatican chimney smoke ritual work?

As Catholic cardinals meet behind closed doors, here's a look inside the secretive ritual of papal smoke signals.

A man pulls his belongings in a trolley behind him, walking along a dark street

A man pulls his belongings in a trolley behind him, walking along a dark street

Pope Francis' legacy: Sheltering the unhoused in the Vatican

Pope Francis championed the poor and made space for them in the Vatican. What will become of them now that he's gone?

Pope Francis and cardinals on the balcony in the Vatican

Pope Francis and cardinals on the balcony in the Vatican

How does a pope get his name?

The name a new pope adopts says a lot about what he stands for.

Cardinals on the Balcony the St Peters Cathedral Society.

Cardinals on the Balcony the St Peters Cathedral Society.

The making of a pope: What to expect from the conclave

Catholic cardinals will begin the centuries-old conclave behind closed doors on Wednesday. Here's how it works.

Gay Catholic JD Yap speaks with DW inside a church

Gay Catholic JD Yap speaks with DW inside a church

Filipino LGBTQ+ community backs local papal hopeful Tagle

Like Francis, Cardinal Tagle of Asia's largest Catholic nation, the Philippines, has embraced marginalized communities.

Firefighters work on the roof of the Sistine Chapel to set a chimney, ahead of the conclave

Firefighters work on the roof of the Sistine Chapel to set a chimney, ahead of the conclave

Cardinals gather in Rome to elect new pope

Their presence has got the whole city buzzing about who will succeed the late Pope Francis.

Pope Francis, a man in white clothes and a big black cross is waving from a balcony, several cardinals in red clothes and hat standing by his side.

Pope Francis, a man in white clothes and a big black cross is waving from a balcony, several cardinals in red clothes and hat standing by his side.

Are Catholic institutions ready to abandon fossil fuels?

Under Pope Francis, the Vatican called upon Catholic institutions to divest from fossil fuels. How far did they get?

Cardinals dressed in red

Cardinals dressed in red

Vatican: Why conclave's new pope pick is hard to predict

The 2025 conclave is less predictable than ever after Francis shook up the Catholic Church during his years as pope.

A worker installs the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on May 2, 2025.

A worker installs the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on May 2, 2025.

Chimney installed on Sistine Chapel for papal conclave

The conclave is set to vote for the next pope on May 7.

Focus on Europe — Spotlight on People

Will helping the vulnerable remain a priority for the next Pope?

Cardinals attending the congregation, most of them with a red galero.

Cardinals attending the congregation, most of them with a red galero.

Conclave to elect new pope begins May 7

The date was decided in a closed-door meeting of cardinals at the Vatican. The pope will lead 1.4 billion Catholics.

Film still from 'Conclave': actor Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal wearing a red cap and robe, holding up an envelope.

Film still from 'Conclave': actor Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal wearing a red cap and robe, holding up an envelope.

'Conclave': Pope's election turned into political thriller

Cardinals come together in a Vatican conclave to elect the pope's successor in what's become a pop-culture sensation.

Many people lining up to visit the pope's tomb in the church

Many people lining up to visit the pope's tomb in the church

St. Mary Major church: Tomb of Pope Francis opens to public

Hundreds of people queued to visit the tomb of the late Pope Francis at the St. Mary Major church in Rome on Sunday.

The Popemobile with the coffin in the crowded streets of Rome

The Popemobile with the coffin in the crowded streets of Rome

'Grazie, Francesco': Pope buried in Rome

Some 250,000 attended Pope Francis' funeral in Rome on Saturday, including world leaders and ordinary people.

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Pope buried in Santa Maria Maggiore basilica

DW’s Jack Parrock reports from inside the Vatican.

Crowd of people queueing in front of St. Peter's Basilica

Crowd of people queueing in front of St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis: Crowds gather in Vatican ahead of funeral

Large crowds are queueing to bid their last farewell to Pope Francis. Over 128,000 people have arrived since Wednesday.

Cardinal Peter Turkson is pictured shaking the hand of Pope Francis in 2022

Cardinal Peter Turkson is pictured shaking the hand of Pope Francis in 2022

Conclave: Odds are still against an African pope

The death of Francis has reignited hopes for an African leader to be installed at the top of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis, seated, shakes hands with Cardinal Peter Turkson, standing, in June 2022

Pope Francis, seated, shakes hands with Cardinal Peter Turkson, standing, in June 2022

Africans wonder if it's time for a Black pope

Francis championed developing countries. Now many are asking if it's time for the first African pope in modern times.

A rosary is seen as the body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican, April 21, 2025.

A rosary is seen as the body of Pope Francis is placed in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death in Santa Marta residence at the Vatican, April 21, 2025.

What happens after a pope dies?

Few things are as carefully choreographed in the Catholic Church as the period between two popes.

A white chair on a red dias is illuminated, as dark clerical figures pass in the foreground

A white chair on a red dias is illuminated, as dark clerical figures pass in the foreground

How and where will Pope Francis be buried?

Pope Francis rewrote papal funeral rites in the last two years of his life, breaking with years of tradition.

Pope Francis holds a baby as he arrives to lead a special audience with Vatican workers in Paul VI hall at the Vatican December 22, 2016.

Pope Francis holds a baby as he arrives to lead a special audience with Vatican workers in Paul VI hall at the Vatican December 22, 2016.

Pope Francis: What legacy does he leave the Catholic Church?

Francis reshaped the tone of the Catholic Church as its first Latin American pontiff. What will remain of his papacy?

Pope Francis appoints new thirteen cardinals during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis appoints new thirteen cardinals during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica

Who will be the next pope after Francis?

Speculation is rife about the most likely candidates to succeed Pope Francis as the next pontiff.

Christians light candles, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City

Christians light candles, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City

Vatican prepares to choose next pope

The death of Pope Francis sets in motion a series of rituals, as the Catholic Church moves from one papacy to the next.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass, at St Peter's square in the Vatican, on April 20, 202

Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter mass, at St Peter's square in the Vatican, on April 20, 202

Pope Francis: World, religious leaders pay their respects

Leaders from Asia to the Americas have paid tribute to Pope Francis following his death at the age of 88.

Pope Francis in a black-and-white photo

Pope Francis in a black-and-white photo

Pope Francis' life and legacy

After becoming leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis set out to reform the Vatican and promote climate action.

Pope Francis opens a "Holy Door" at St Peter's basilica to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, on December 8, 2015

Pope Francis opens a "Holy Door" at St Peter's basilica to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, on December 8, 2015

Did Francis live up to promise as 'pope of the poor'?

Pope Francis slammed capitalism, ecological destruction and preached tolerance, but didn't fulfill all expectations.

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in Saint Peters Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in Saint Peters Basilica at the Vatican.

Francis, a pope both conservative and unconventional

Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, brought change but he did not fulfill hopes for reform.

Pope Francis speaks from a balcony, on the day of the "Urbi et Orbi" message at St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, on April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis speaks from a balcony, on the day of the "Urbi et Orbi" message at St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, on April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis sits out Easter Mass, but greets crowd

The 88-year-old pope is recovering from double pneumonia, which left him fighting for his life in the hospital.

The Pope sits in a wheelchair, with a nasal breathing tube, waves

The Pope sits in a wheelchair, with a nasal breathing tube, waves

Pope Francis makes surprise appearance at the Vatican

Pope Francis met with crowds in his first oublic appearance since February 14 after being hospitalized from pneumonia

Tourists look at a piece of the Parthenon frieze in the British Museum

Tourists look at a piece of the Parthenon frieze in the British Museum

Are the Parthenon Sculptures finally returning to Greece?

After UK leaders refused to repatriate Parthenon marbles to Greece, a new government revives restitution hopes.

Pope Francis prays in the chapel of the Gemelli hospital, where he continues his treatment, in Rome, Italy, on March 16, 2025

Pope Francis prays in the chapel of the Gemelli hospital, where he continues his treatment, in Rome, Italy, on March 16, 2025

Pope Francis to be discharged after five weeks in hospital

Doctors treating the pope said he can return to the Vatican on Sunday but will need two months of rest.

Pope at a chapel in a hospital in Rome

Pope at a chapel in a hospital in Rome

Pope Francis' health 'improving,' Vatican says

Pope Francis is 'improving," continues to make progress at physiotherapy and remains fever-free, his doctors said.

Pope Francis shows him praying at the hospital where he is being treated

Pope Francis shows him praying at the hospital where he is being treated

Pope Francis photo released for first time since he fell ill

The 88-year-old could be seen praying as he sat in a wheelchair. His condition is described as stable.

A person praying with a photo of Pope Francis

A person praying with a photo of Pope Francis

Pope Francis showing 'good response' to treatment — Vatican

The 88-year-old pope has been hospitalized with pneumonia since February.