Pope Leo XIV calls for end to wars in Ukraine, Gaza

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV has been outspoken about the need for action to fight global warming, according to the College of Cardinals Report -- a document that offers profiles on dozens of papal candidates.

Leo has in the past warned against the "harmful" consequences of unchecked technological advancement and aligns closely with Pope Francis' environmental priorities, his profile states.

The new pope has spoken about global warming as recent as November 2024.

During a seminar in Rome dedicated to "addressing the problems of the environmental crisis," Leo said it was time to move "from words to action" on the environmental crisis.

He praised efforts by the Vatican to reduce its carbon footprint by installing solar panels and switching to electric vehicles.

The conference brought cardinals together to discuss the negative impacts climate change imposes on the most vulnerable populations around the world.

He also stressed at the time the need for the Catholic Church's involvement in the climate fight is based on the Social Doctrine of the Church -- a fundamental framework of social teachings. Humans must engage in a "relationship of reciprocity" with the environmental, rather than "tyrannical," Leo said.

Read more here

-ABC News’ Julia Jacobo

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked at a news briefing about the pope's X account and his posts that shared criticism of Trump and Vance's policies.

Leavitt did not respond and reiterated that Trump welcomed the pope and was honored that an American was the pontiff.

"It's a great thing for the United States and for the world," she said.

-ABC News' Ivan Pereira

Singer Harry Styles was among the 150,000 people gathered at the Vatican's Saint Peter's Square to witness the election of the new pope.

An eagle-eyed onlooker snapped a photo of what appeared to be the "Late Night Talking" singer and former One Direction member on the streets of Rome on Thursday, ahead of the Vatican's announcement that Leo XIV had been elected as the new pope.

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop emeritus of Washington, said Pope Leo XIV engaged in conversations with members of the clergy in "smaller groups" during the conclave, specifically during meal times and coffee breaks.

"It wasn't like he got up and made an overwhelmingly convincing speech that wowed the body," Gregory said during a press conference on Friday.

Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington, said it was not the substance of what Leo said during the conclave, but the "manner in which he said it" that resonated with the cardinals.

Gregory went on to say that he talked to Leo about how they are both from Chicago and promised the pontiff his "respect, fidelity and love."