Themes of peace and human dignity have been central to Pope Leo as he marks his first year in office

Pope Leo XIV arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 29, 2026. AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino When he was elected pope on May 8, 2025, Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV, greeted the crowd with Christ’s words to his disciples: “Peace be with you.”