Stefano Pitrelli

Unpopular war makes friendship with Trump a liability for Italy’s Meloni The war in Iran, which is deeply unpopular in Europe, has put Trump’s closest European allies, a constellation of conservative and populist leaders, on the defensive.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...

Vatican announces Pope Leo will not visit U.S. this year Pope Leo’s decision not to visit the U.S. in 2026 reflects his desire to emphasize the importance of other parts of the Catholic world.

Vatican announces Pope Leo will not visit U.S. this year www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/...

At Winter Olympics, protest over cost and ICE ends in clash with police After left-wing groups rallied against the cost and environmental impact of the Winter Games in Italy, some protesters set off fireworks and hurled bottles.

At Winter Olympics, protest over cost and ICE ends in clash with police www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...

Winter Olympics, spread across north Italy, open with Milanese flair The Opening Ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Olympics will have four simultaneous events in four locations marking what organizers say is the most spread out Games in history.

Winter Olympics, spread across north Italy, open with Milanese flair www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...

Ahead of the Winter Olympics, Milan wins gold in gentrification Some advocates say the Winter Games are driving up property prices and exacerbating income inequality.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...

Inside the frantic global race to find an escape route for Maduro A previously unreported Christmas Eve meeting in Vatican City was one of many failed attempts to find safe harbor for the Venezuelan leader before the U.S. raid.

Inside the frantic global race to find an escape route for Maduro www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...

UNESCO recognizes ‘Italian cooking’ as intangible world heritage Italian cooking joins French gastronomy and Mexican cuisine on UNESCO’s list of global cultural gems, setting off celebration and snickering.

UNESCO recognizes ‘Italian cooking’ as intangible world heritage www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Pope Leo’s trip to Middle East will stress, and test, interfaith ties Rather than his native Chicago or adopted Peru, Pope Leo XIV is making his first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon, putting him on tricky terrain shared by Muslims and Jews.

Pope Leo’s trip to Middle East will stress, and test, interfaith ties www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Ukraine delegation meets Pope Leo to discuss children held in Russia Ukraine hopes to capitalize on Pope Leo’s calls for peace to coax the Vatican into helping secure the release of children and other prisoners held by Russia.

Ukraine delegation meets Pope Leo to discuss children held in Russia www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Trans women attend Vatican event with Pope Leo, but not at head table A group of 48 transgender women attended a major Vatican event on Sunday with Pope Leo XIV, continuing a tradition that began under Pope Francis.

Trans women attend Vatican event with Pope Leo, but not at head table www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Tariffs on pasta from Italy could soon soar to more than 100% A routine Commerce Department probe into alleged “dumping” resulted in crushing 100% tariffs on Italian pasta that leave exporters shouting “Basta!”

Tariffs on pasta from Italy could soon soar to more than 100% www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Traditionalists push Pope Leo to resurrect the Latin Mass The Latin Mass has become toxically politicized and is posing a test for Pope Leo XIV as traditionalists call on him to reverse restrictions imposed by Pope Francis.

Traditionalists push Pope Leo to resurrect the Latin Mass www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

As Pope Leo riles conservatives, some say ‘just focus on the church’ Conservatives who hoped that Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, would be more of a traditionalist instead hear echoes of his predecessor, Francis, in his public statements.

As Pope Leo riles conservatives, some say ‘just focus on the church’ www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Meloni’s Italy looks to restrict talk of LBGTQ+ sexuality in schools New laws could ban LGBTQ+ issues from classrooms and more strictly limit transition-related care for transgender minors — part of a wider trend in Europe and the U.S.

Meloni’s Italy looks to restrict talk of LBGTQ sexuality in schools www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

As Gaza engulfs European politics, Italy sends navy ship on unlikely mission Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, inclined toward Israel, is navigating an uncomfortable position as the Italian navy helps a Gaza aid flotilla.

As Gaza engulfs European politics, Italy sends navy ship on unlikely mission www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

As LGBTQ+ pilgrims cross Vatican’s Holy Door, some see church in transition About 1,450 participants from 22 countries hoped for a sign from Pope Leo XIV that he would continue the LGBTQ+ outreach of his predecessor.

As LGBTQ pilgrims cross Vatican’s Holy Door, some see church in transition www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Pope Leo set to canonize Carlo Acutis, the teen deemed ‘God’s Influencer’ He played video games like other teenagers but was also fascinated by the Eucharist and, since his death from leukemia at age 15, is credited with two miracles.

Pope Leo set to canonize Carlo Acutis, the teen deemed ‘God’s Influencer’ www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

oggi in apertura di prima, sul Il primo pellegrinaggio giubilare LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ pilgrimage to Rome could test Pope Leo on gay Catholics Under Pope Francis, the Vatican approved an improbable LGBTQ+ pilgrimage, but the views of Leo XIV, on an issue that has long divided the Catholic church, are not yet clear.

LGBTQ pilgrimage to Rome could test Pope Leo on gay Catholics www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Italy’s new military spending: Bombs, bullets, the world’s longest bridge The push to build the Messina bridge linking Sicily to mainland Italy illustrates how European governments are capitalizing on NATO’s pledge to boost defense spending.

Italy’s new military spending: Bombs, bullets, the world’s longest bridge www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

This 92-year-old sprinter has the muscle cells of someone in their 20s Emma Maria Mazzenga, 92, holds four world records for women over 90. Now, researchers are trying to understand the secret to her success.

This 92-year-old sprinter has the muscle cells of someone in their 20s www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/202...

Pope Leo may visit Lebanon on first major trip, Catholic officials say Lebanon would be a highly symbolic stop for the first American pope, who has repeatedly called for peace in the Middle East.

Pope Leo may visit Lebanon on first major trip, Catholic officials say www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

A convicted priest is back at work. Child advocates want Pope Leo to act. Carlo Alberto Capella served prison time for a child pornography conviction but was allowed to return to work at the Vatican, posing a test for Pope Leo XIV.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

The church in Gaza the pope used to call nightly hit by Israeli strike The Rev. Gabriel Romanelli of the Church of the Holy Family used to speak every night with Pope Francis before the pontiff’s death.

The church in Gaza the pope used to call nightly hit by Israeli strike www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Venice, prime wedding spot, braces for a Bezos marital extravaganza In Venice, a romantic backdrop of weddings for centuries, the marriage of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez is providing an economic windfall and stirring protest.

Venice, prime wedding spot, braces for a Bezos marital extravaganza www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

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Could Pope Leo mediate between Russia and Ukraine? Trump thinks so. The Vatican has a long history of conflict mediation, with varying degrees of success. An effort by the pope to end the war in Ukraine would face long odds.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Not challenging your viewpoint. Just saying this is not the first time we cover his papacy — I’ve personally been at it for more than a decade, and the article you’re analysing doesn’t presume to be THE story on it. If you’re interested in our coverage of Francis, you have many hours ahead of you 😄

In inauguration, Leo urges end to division: It’s ‘the hour for love’ Leo, the first American and second Latin American pope, celebrated his inaugural Mass at the Vatican after waving to the faithful on the popemobile.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

“Less” ≠ not — the opinion is widely shared by several key Vatican watchers, and absolutely *not* meant to be dismissive of a whole papacy