The “barbarity of war” and forced displacement of people have to end, and civilians and places of worship have to be protected, Pope Leo XIV implored. “Tragic news continues to arrive these days from the Middle East, especially from Gaza,” he said after reciting the Angelus with those gathered outside the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo July 20.

Pope Leo XIV has extended his vacation at Castel Gandolfo by two days. How does he relax? And what have other popes done with their downtime?

Pope Leo XIV said he was "deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack" on the Catholic Church in Gaza.

"Living our vocation to be protectors of God's handiwork is essential to a life of virtue." Pope Leo XIV holds first 'green mass' with profound message for followers: 'The care of creation' first appeared on The Cool Down.

In a vast hangar near Rome's Fiumicino airport, piles of letters addressed to Pope Leo XIV are being sorted, sent by faithful all over the world to the head of the Catholic Church. "We receive hundreds of letters per day addressed to the pope with peaks of 100 kg per day,