From Gaza to AI, Pope Leo is taking the papacy in a different direction

Naomi O'Leary looks back at his first months in office

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Pope Leo XIV during the weekly audience at St Peter's square in the Vatican on September 10. Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty
Pope Leo XIV during the weekly audience at St Peter's square in the Vatican on September 10. Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty

As Pope Leo XIV turns 70 we look back at his first months in office, the messages he has been giving to his flock of 1.4 billion Catholics and what they reveal about the direction of his papacy.

Since May the Pope has used his Wednesday audience to condemn the actions of Isreal in Gaza and to call for peace in Ukraine. What he has chosen to wear and where to live has signalled a return to tradition – but as Irish Times Europe correspondent Naomi O’Leary explains he’s also spoken about the dangers and the promise of AI.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast

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