Pope in the headlines: aging pontiff faces global calls for reform and accountability within the Catholic Church. The pope, head of the worldwide Catholic Church since 266 AD (bishop of Rome), guides doctrine and discipline.
On March 25, 2026, Sarah Mullally was formally installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral, becoming the first woman to hold the role. The ceremony was attended by Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and international religious leaders. Mullally prayed for peace in conflict zones and acknowledged the Church's past safeguarding failures. Her appointment has sparked divisions within the Anglican Communion, especially with conservative groups opposing her leadership.
Pope Leo has been maintaining a weekly tennis routine as part of his Augustinian devotion to physical activity and interior life. Reports highlight his Castel Gandolfo retreats, Africa trip in April, and public message promoting sport as a tool for peace and personal growth, while colleagues note the stamina needed for his global duties.
The Pope has urged leaders to show compassion toward migrants and refugees, stressing that dignity has no passport. He cites the Canary Islands and Arguineguin as symbols of a global conscience, calling for legal routes, cooperation against trafficking, and rescue funding. The remarks come as Europe tightens migration controls amid ongoing deaths at sea.