What Pope Leo’s first days tell us about his priorities

Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the first days of Leo XIV’s historic papacy.

Today, Pope Leo met with members of the Vatican press corps and the thousands of other media in Rome covering his election, telling them to be peacemakers and calling for the release of all imprisoned journalists. 

On our final episode recorded in Rome, the team discusses:

• How Pope Leo related to the media, and the importance of his message of peace and truth in a world threatened by war and the rise of A.I.

• Pope Leo’s meeting with the College of Cardinals on Saturday, in which he signaled that he would continue the work started by Pope Francis

• Pope Leo’s “honeymoon” period—and the opposition he will inevitably face

This episode features:

• Sebastian Gomes, America’s executive editor of audio and video

• Gerard O’Connell, America’s Vatican correspondent 

• Ashley McKinless, executive editor and co-host of America’s “Jesuitical” podcast

Links from the show:

• Pope Leo XIV calls for the release of imprisoned journalists, tells media to be peacemakers

• Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s address to the media

• Pope Leo XIV’s message to the cardinals: Vatican II and Pope Francis are here to stay

• Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first formal address to the College of Cardinals

• Interview: Chicago’s Cardinal Cupich on why the cardinals chose Pope Leo XIV

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices