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Pope Leo XVI celebrated a Mass in Rome with LGBTQ+ groups participating, emphasizing dignity and inclusion. He met with Jesuit advocate James Martin, reaffirming support for LGBTQ+ acceptance. The pope is also expected to visit Lebanon by December, continuing his focus on peace and dialogue in the Middle East.
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On September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis, a London-born teenager who died of leukemia in 2006, during a Mass at St. Peter’s Square attended by tens of thousands. Acutis, known as “God’s Influencer,” used technology to document Eucharistic miracles and is hailed as a relatable role model for young Catholics. The ceremony also canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati, noted for his charity.
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On October 23, 2025, King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV prayed together in the Sistine Chapel, marking the first joint worship between an English monarch and a Catholic pope since 1534. The ecumenical service, emphasizing environmental conservation, symbolizes a historic rapprochement between the Church of England and the Catholic Church after nearly five centuries of separation.
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The Vatican canonized seven individuals, including a former Satanic priest turned Catholic saint, a Venezuelan doctor of the poor, and a Papua New Guinea martyr. The ceremony, attended by thousands, highlights themes of faith, charity, and perseverance amid global tensions and crises. The event marks a significant moment for the Catholic Church and Venezuelan national identity.