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Victoria Cardiel

Victoria Cardiel

As a journalist, Victoria Cardiel has specialized in social and religious news. Since 2013, she has covered the Vatican for various media outlets, including Europa Press and Alfa and Omega, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Madrid.

Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile in St. Peter’s Square in October 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

Key Dates on the Agenda of Pope Leo XIV and Vatican for 2026

Pope Leo XIV is preparing for a busy 2026.

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Jan. 1, 2026. / Credit: Vatican Media

The World is Saved by “tirelessly striving to understand, forgive, liberate, welcome everyone without calculation": Pope

Pope Leo XIV called Catholics to a steadfast openness to other people, warning that peace will not be built through...

Pope Leo XIV addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for recitation of the Angelus on Jan. 1, 2026. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Urges Prayers for Peace in Bloodied Nations and Wounded Families

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday urged Catholics to pray for peace, “first, among nations bloodied by conflict and suffering,” and...

Pope Leo XIV meets with a group of pilgrims from St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, on Dec. 29, 2025, in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV: To Let God Work in Your Life, You Have to Empty Yourself

Speaking to pilgrims from St. Thomas Villanova Parish in Spain, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the saint’s virtues and interior life...

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for the recitation of the Angelus on Dec. 28, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

“Cherish the values of the Gospel”, Protect “flame of love” in Homes: Pope Leo XIV to Christian Families

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged Christian families to “cherish the values of the Gospel” and protect the “flame of...

Pope Leo XIV addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for recitation of the Angelus on Dec. 28, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Sends Three Truckloads of Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV has sent three trucks carrying humanitarian aid to parts of Ukraine hit hardest by bombardments, where residents...

Pope Leo XIV: Christians Have No Enemies, Only Brothers and Sisters

Pope Leo XIV on Friday urged Christians to resist the temptation to treat others as enemies, saying the mystery of...

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on December 25, 2025. / Daniel Ibañez/ EWTN News

At Christmas Day Mass, Pope Leo XIV Says Wars Fed by Falsehoods Send Young People to Their Deaths

Pope Leo XIV on Christmas Day deplored the “falsehoods” used to justify wars that leave young people “forced to take...

Pope Leo XIV delivers his Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" message at the Vatican on December 25, 2025. / Daniel Ibañez/ EWTN News

Embrace “responsibility” as Sure Way to Peace: Pope Highlights Gaza, Yemen, Migrants in First Christmas Urbi et Orbi

In his first Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” message as pope, Leo XIV urged the world to embrace “responsibility” as the...

The pope with boys and girls from Italian Catholic Action on Dec. 18, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

The "most valuable" Gift to Give this Christmas, According to Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV told the young people of Italian Catholic Action that they can perform a simple gesture that would...

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for the Jubilee of Prisoners in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 14, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Writes Preface to Book That Shaped His Spiritual Life

“The Practice of the Presence of God” is a 17th-century spiritual classic written by the Carmelite friar Lawrence of the...

A new Vatican labor regulations decree was issued after an audience granted to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, pictured here with Pope Leo XIV. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Strengthens Legal Protections for Employees of the Vatican and Holy See

Pope Leo XIV approved new labor regulations at the Office of Labor of the Apostolic See.

Pope Leo XIV passes through the Holy Door carrying the jubilee cross as he leads the pilgrimage of the Holy See on June 9, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Countdown to the Closing of the Jubilee: When, Who Will Close the Holy Doors in Rome?

Just a few weeks remain until the closing of the holy year, which was inaugurated by Pope Francis on Dec....

Pope Leo XIV speaks to patients and caregivers at the De La Croix Hospital in Jal el Dib, Lebanon, on Dec. 2, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Warns Against Destructive Spiral of Autonomous Weapons and Escalation

Pope Leo XIV warned against the destructive spiral fueled by the arms race and the development of autonomous weapons.

This image is preserved in the Church of San Vital, built in 386, in Rome. / Credit: Victoria Cardiel/EWTN News

First Painting in Rome of Our Lady of Guadalupe Preserved in Fourth-century Church

The Church of St. Vitale is the oldest Christian church still standing in the center of Rome and contains the...

Pope Leo XIV spoke about the solution for restless hearts in his catechesis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Dec. 17. 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Leo XIV: True Treasure is Found in the Heart, Not "too much doing"

Pope Leo XIV spoke about the solution for restless hearts in his catechesis at the general audience in St. Peter’s...

Pope Leo admires the Nativity scene that was made in Costa Rica. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Thankful for Pro-life Nativity Scene That "represents a life preserved from abortion

Pope Leo XIV thanked Costa Rican artist Paula Sáenz Soto for donating a pro-life Nativity scene to the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican for the Angelus on December 14, 2025. / Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Voices Concern Over Renewed Fighting in Eastern Congo, Urges Dialogue

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday voiced deep concern over renewed fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, urging an...

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square during his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 10, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/EWTN News

Pope Leo XIV Praises Christian Archaeology, Capable of "bringing to light anonymous holiness"

Pope Leo XIV on Dec. 11 published a new apostolic letter in which he praised Christian archaeology as a work...

Pope Leo XIV receives members of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology on Dec. 11, 2025, in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Calls for Promoting "cultural diplomacy" to Overcome Borders and Prejudices

Pope Leo XIV on Dec. 11 emphasized the academic, cultural, and ecclesial value of archaeology and called for the promotion...