Anna Levy

4 days ago | abc.net.au | Anna Levy

Pope Leo XIV used his first address as pontiff, spoken from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica on May 8, to call for "a peace that is unarmed and disarming". Three days later, he reiterated the message during his first Sunday blessing, appealing to the world's major powers for "no more war" and referencing the conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, India and Pakistan. It's a strong message that echoes the values of his predecessor, the "progressive" Pope Francis.

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Anna Levy

This morning, Australians woke to find a new pope had been elected. Just after 6pm local time, white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, as tens of thousands of Catholic faithful watched from St Peter's Square. After two days and three votes, the 133 cardinals in the conclave chose 69-year-old US-born Robert Prevost, a surprising choice to many. Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV, is the first ever American pope.

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Anna Levy

At Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Kellyville in western Sydney, a Filipino congregation gathers for Sunday mass. Hymns are sung in English, Tagalog and Latin. In front of the panoramic stained glass window is an altar to memorialise Pope Francis, his smile beaming from a small frame. This community and many like it are waiting eagerly for the conclave — the secretive process of choosing a new pope — to begin.

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Anna Levy

At Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Kellyville in western Sydney, a Filipino congregation gathers for Sunday mass. Hymns are sung in English, Tagalog and Latin. In front of the panoramic stained glass window is an altar to memorialise Pope Francis, his smile beaming from a small frame. This community and many like it are waiting eagerly for the conclave — the secretive process of choosing a new pope — to begin.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Anna Levy

Thousands of Catholic faithful are expected to descend upon Rome in the coming weeks, as cardinals from around the world gather at the Vatican to elect a new pope. A new pontiff is expected to be chosen within three days of the conclave, which is set to begin on May 7, and large crowds will likely wait outside Saint Peter's Basilica in anticipation. But for many Catholics, this is a particularly profound time to travel to Rome, regardless of the conclave.