ROME — As the universal Church celebrates the gift of the new Pope, there is one university in Rome where the joy is felt a little more deeply: Pope Leo XIV’s alma mater. The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas — also known as the Angelicum — is not only the alma mater of Pope St. John Paul II, but now also of Pope Leo XIV.

The Vatican, which was largely sidelined during the first three years of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has offered to host any peace talks.

Vice President JD Vance attended Pope Leo's inaugural mass. The trip could set the tone for the Trump administration's relationship with the new pope.

In a historic and politically charged moment at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, shook hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska as

The Trump administration seeks to improve ties by working with Pope Leo XIV on ending the Ukraine war and de-emphasizing disagreements over U.S. migrant policy.

European and U.S. leaders welcomed U.S. President Donald Trumps announcement that Pope Leo XIV is open to hosting peace talks between Russia and Ukraine at the Vatican, according to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia

Vance and Zelenskyy clashed during an Oval Office meeting in February. Trump is speaking to Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 19.