The way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war,” Pope Leo told members of the media on Monday.

As Pope Leo XIV walked through a crowd at the Vatican on Monday, NewsNation correspondent Robert Sherman asked the new pontiff if he had “any message for the United States.” “Many,” Leo replied with a smile. Then, after a short pause, he added: “God bless you all.”

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has taken over the Vatican’s official social media handles, with a first Instagram post on Tuesday repeating the first words he said to the world as pope: “Peace be with you all!” The @Pontifex – Pope Leo XIV post featured some of the photos that have documented the first days of history’s first American pope.