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As made public by the Holy See Press Office on Friday, 21 November, Pope Leo XIV, by a Motu Proprio signed on 19 November, repealed Article 8, no. 1 of the Fundamental Law of the State of Vatican City and replaced it as set out below, establishing that not only Cardinals, but also “other members,” may hold the office of President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City.
“When in this life we ‘choose life’ (cf. Dt 30:19), then in Mary, assumed into Heaven, we have reason to see our destiny. She is given to us as the sign that the Resurrection of Jesus was not an isolated event, an exception. All of us, in Christ, can swallow up death (cf. 1 Cor 15:54).” Thus spoke Pope Leo XIV during the concelebrated Eucharist in the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova (Castel Gandolfo) on Friday morning, August 15, on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A service carried out above all “behind the scenes,” and a task that “builds security, order, respect,” considering that “it is not just a profession: it is a service for the good of the Church.” Thus spoke Pope Leo XIV, addressing the members of the Vatican City State Gendarmerie Corps during the Eucharistic Concelebration, presided at the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens on Sunday afternoon, October 5, on the feast of their Patron, Saint Michael the Archangel.
“Today, on this day dedicated to the sick, we wish to pray in communion with all those who suffer throughout the world. We pray for you. I sincerely thank you for making the effort to come and to accompany us in this moment of prayer, here before our Mother Mary, on her liturgical memorial, Our Lady of Lourdes.” These were the words of Pope Leo XIV, spoken in front of the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens on Wednesday morning, 11 February, after the General Audience.
During his visit to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy marking the 325th anniversary of its foundation, Pope Leo XIV signed the oversized reproduction of the commemorative stamp issued by the Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of the Vatican City State. The event took place on Monday afternoon, April 27, at the historic headquarters of the Pontifical Academy, Palazzo Severoli, located in Piazza della Minerva in Rome.
“Today is the day of the Prayer of Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. Our Mother Mary always wants to walk at our side, to remain close to us, to help us with her intercession and her love. So I would like to pray together with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole Church, for peace in the world, and let us ask Mary, our Mother, for this special grace: Hail Mary...”
Pope Leo XIV will move to the summer Papal residence in Castel Gandolfo for a period of rest, as announced by the Prefecture of the Papal Household.
On Saturday, August 2, Pope Leo XIV received in audience, in a foyer of the Paul VI Audience Hall, a select group representing the Vatican Museums. During the meeting, a painting depicting Saint Augustine and an angel, the work of an anonymous Roman artist of the 18th century, was presented and entrusted to the Pope.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Nativity Scene from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore–Sarno, set up in St. Peter’s Square for the 2025 Christmas season. On Wednesday afternoon, 31 December 2025, he visited the crèche after presiding in the Vatican Basilica over First Vespers for the Solemnity of Mary, Most Holy Mother of God, followed by the singing of the traditional Te Deum hymn of thanksgiving at the end of the year.
It was a visit marked by friendship, affection, inclusion, and a sense of family when Pope Leo XIV met with the participants of the “Estate Ragazzi” [summer day camp for kids] program at the Vatican on the morning of Thursday, July 3, in the Paul VI Hall.
Pope Leo received the members of the Board of the Vatican Observatory Foundation (VOF) in audience on Monday morning, May 11, in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace. Among those present were Cardinal Donald William Wuerl, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, Br. Guy Consolmagno, S.J., President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, Fr. Richard Anthony D’Souza, and Fr. Gabriele Gionti, respectively Director and Deputy Director of the Vatican Observatory.
Artificial Intelligence offers enormous possibilities thanks to its speed and efficiency in performing complex tasks. However, it cannot replace the human person in moral judgment or in the creation of authentic relationships. It is therefore important that this transformation be marked by responsibility and discernment, to ensure that AI is developed and used for the common good, fostering the building of bridges for dialogue to promote fraternity.
The Postal and Philately Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of the Vatican City State has produced four special postmarks on the occasion of the apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV to nations in the African continent—Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea—which will take place from April 13 to 23, as well as a special postmark for the 1025th anniversary of the apparition of the Mother of God Crowned, in Foggia, Italy.
The Postal and Philately Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of the Vatican City State has produced a special postmark on the occasion of the apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV to the Principality of Monaco, along with a special cancellation, a commemorative envelope, and a limited-edition folder for Easter, as well as ordinary postmarks dedicated to the Easter period.
On the occasion of the beginning of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, the Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of the Vatican City State has issued a special philatelic release composed of two commemorative covers, each adorned with thematic stamps and accompanied by a dedicated postal cancellation.
To remember the greatness of the vocation to which God calls us—namely, the universal vocation to holiness—and to be a witness and an example of this holiness in today’s world. This was the invitation addressed by Pope Leo XIV to those taking part in the blessing of a mosaic dedicated to the Virgin Mary and of a statue of Saint Rose of Lima, on Saturday morning, January 31, along the Pius XI walkway in the Vatican Gardens.
Around the world millions of viewers were glued to their televisions to watch the live broadcast of the moon landing of the Eagle lunar module from the Apollo 11 mission. About six hours later, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. He was the first man to do so. Buzz Aldrin followed him 19 minutes later. It was July 20, 1969—a date that marked a major milestone in the history of humanity.
A word of thanks to all present for their faithful participation and for all they do—sometimes with great sacrifice—to live united as a family, offering this message and thus witnessing in the spirit left to us by Jesus Christ.
Before a square filled with parents, grandparents, and children, Pope Leo XIV appeared at the main entrance of the Governorate building and expressed his joy at being able to share this special moment dedicated to the family. This was the highlight of the “Governorate Family Celebration,” which has now become an annual event for the Governorate’s employees. The Pope’s surprise appearance on Saturday evening, September 6, was met with applause and great enthusiasm from the families and especially the children. He emphasized the importance of gathering together to celebrate family bonds and offered affectionate words to the little ones. His message resonated with those present, drawing more applause.
Welcomed by a joyful crowd, Pope Leo XIV arrived on Sunday afternoon, July 6th, at the estate of Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, where he will stay until Sunday, July 20th.
Earlier that day, during the Angelus, before departing, the Holy Father had said: “This afternoon I will be going to Castel Gandolfo, where I plan to stay for a brief period of rest. I wish everyone the opportunity to enjoy a time of vacation to refresh both body and spirit.”
“The work you carry out each day certainly represents a discreet and precious service for the Pope’s apostolic mission. It is part of the complex activity of the Governorate and of the Directorate for Infrastructure and Services, which I commend for the diligent management of many responsibilities within the Vatican City State.”
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