One year after his election, Pope Leo XIV has emerged as a more visible and assertive leader of the Catholic Church, expanding both his public engagement and international activity, according to Reuters.
The first U.S.-born pope maintained a relatively low profile during his early months in office but has recently taken a firmer stance on global issues. During an April tour of Africa, he spoke out against war, authoritarianism and violations of international law, warning that global stability is threatened by concentrated power and ongoing conflicts. Vatican observers say this shift reflects growing concern within the Church about the direction of global leadership.
Leo is also preparing to release his first major teaching document, an encyclical expected later this month. The text is likely to address key ethical challenges, including the rise of artificial intelligence and broader global tensions.
In mid-April, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the pope’s stance on the U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran, describing him as «weak on crime» and «terrible for foreign policy» in a social media post. He also suggested the pontiff was ineffective in addressing global security concerns, particularly nuclear threats.
Pope Leo later said he would continue to «speak out loudly» against the war in Iran and other global issues.
