Christopher Lamb

Vatican News says Pope Leo "does not speak as a politician when addressing issues concerning the affairs of humanity." The article will be widely read as a response to the US Ambassador to the Holy See's argument (made recently in a New York Times interview) that Leo XIV's comments on the Iran war were made in his capacity as a "sovereign leader of the Holy See." vaticannews.va/en/vatican-cit…

Remembering David Willey, who has died aged 93. A generous colleague, always curious and reporting on the Vatican until the end. Here pictured after meeting Pope Leo (the fifth pope he covered in his long BBC career).

Great to be on @IsaCNN’s book club to discuss Pope Leo, his leadership, clashes with the Trump administration and covering this papacy. #AmericanHope

The first US-born pope's visit to Lampedusa sent a message that resonated in Europe and the US. And Leo XIV also made time to celebrate July 4th by making a rare visit to the US Ambassador to the Holy See's residence. Live @CNN report from Lampedusa today.

La ruptura que vuelve a inquietar a Roma y la dura advertencia de un experto - mi entrevista con @RobertoRegoli3 lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/rober… via @LANACION/

Pope Leo XIV spent July 4, US Independence Day, calling for greater welcome and compassion for migrants: my @CNN report on the visit and what it meant.

Pope Leo XIV marked July 4 with an appeal to Americans to receive immigrants with “compassion and generosity” as he made a visit to the frontlines of the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. cnn.com/2026/07/04/eur…

Pope Leo XIV visits Lampedusa on July 4, heading to the front lines of the Mediterranean migration crisis. This report for @CNN explores the significance of the visit on US Independence Day, and features interviews with the President of @crocerossa, @rosariovalastro, Cardinal Cupich, and Archbishop Hicks 🎥Alessandro Gentile +@antoniamcnn, @BLNadeau, Mark Baron

Pope Leo XIV, in a speech to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, said the US had “opened its doors to successive waves of immigrants, enabling them and their children to play their part in shaping the future of the nation.” @DannyEFreeman cnn.com/2026/07/03/wor…

During his remarks to the @ConstitutionCtr, the @Pontifex wore the Liberty Medal next to his pectoral cross. A sign, per @ctrlamb, that shows how much this award means to the Pope. @CNN

Explainer on the Vatican’s July 2 declaration of excommunications concerning the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX): what happened, why it is rare and how it reflects Pope Leo XIV’s concern for unity. @CNN

Pope Leo XIV’s July 4 visit to migrant hotspot of Lampedusa sends a veiled message to US leaders. Cardinal Cupich told me that it shows immigrants should not be looked at “simply on the basis (that) they have violated a law or a statute in coming to a country without documents.” And Archbishop Hicks of New York said the pope is “saying the United States has always been a country of immigrants. Everyone has come from somewhere at different times.” cnn.com/2026/07/02/eur…

The “Lefebvrists” do not accept what the council taught on religious freedom, on ecumenism (teaching on other Christian denominations and religions), and reforms to Catholic worship. One of the major reforms at the council was a condemnation of all forms of antisemitism.

The Vatican's ruling is wide-ranging & goes further than the 1988 excommunications from the society. Pope Leo XIV has made church unity a priority, pointing to the Society of Saint Pius X's rejection of "fundamental elements" of the church, including some parts of the Second Vatican Council. “If that is the choice they make, I am sorry, but we must move forward,” the pope said on June 16.

The Vatican announced Thursday that priests and members of a breakaway Catholic group that ordained four new bishops in defiance of Pope Leo XIV’s wishes are in schism and excommunicated. All priests of the society and lay members who “formally adhere” to the group are schismatic and excommunicated. @CNN report edition.cnn.com/2026/07/02/eur…

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, expressed his “deep sorrow” on Wednesday about the decision, saying the ordinations “break the unity of the Church and incur very specific sanctions – fundamentally, excommunication.” “My hope is that, despite what has happened today, dialogue can resume,” he told reporters in Rome.

Presentación en la @Stampa_Estera de #Roma de “El Último Cónclave” con la presencia del card de Hong Kong, Stephen Chow, y el card Czerny Junto a los autores, @bettapique y @gerryorome Modera @PalomaGOvejero y @ctrlamb

Pope Leo XIV has made a last-ditch appeal to a rebel group of traditionalist Catholics who plan to ordain bishops without his approval, saying they will be committing a “sin of extreme gravity” if they proceed. Cardinal Cupich of Chicago, who is a close ally of Leo, told CNN that “the danger” is “the setting up of a parallel structure within the ecclesial body of the church.” He said the pope had issued numerous invitations for the society to reconsider its plans. cnn.com/2026/06/30/wor…

Pope Leo has appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli as Prefect of the Vatican office for "integral human development" @VaticanIHD, the office that handles topics such as migration and the environment. She will be the third woman to lead a Vatican office.

Three other US Archbishops received the pallium too: Archbishops Cecchio of New Orleans, Rivituso of Mobile, Alabama & Golka of Denver

Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York receives the pallium - a vestment which is a symbol of authority - from Pope Leo XIV in St Peter's Basilica. 34 other recently appointed archbishops also received the pallium today (Feast of Sts Peter & Paul).