Pope Leo XIV will make a virtual appearance in his hometown Saturday in his first address to U.S. audiences since he was elected pope.

Pope Leo XIV has made his first appointment of a Chinese bishop. The nomination signals Leo is continuing the Vatican’s 2018 agreement with Beijing, which was one of Pope Francis' most controversial foreign policy decisions.

According to Gates Jr., Pope Leo is also related to Boucher de Grandpre, who fought against the British during the Revolutionary War with the Louisiana militia, as well as Antonio José de Sucre, who opposed Spanish forces during the Battle of Ayacucho.

Pope Leo XIV appointed Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro to head the academy; he says he will focus on artificial intelligence, bioengineering and end-of-life issues.

Abuse experts and survivors express a mix of tentative hopes and low expectations for how Pope Leo might address discipling abusers, supporting victims and ensuring that the church is a safe environment for all.

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday celebrated Pentecost Mass with participants in the Year of Hope’s Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, Associations, and New Communities.

Pope Leo XIV has criticized the surge of nationalist political movements in the world as he prayed for reconciliation and dialogue.