Pope Leo XIV begins summer break after assertive first half of 2026 marked by global statesmanship and internal church governance
By
NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
Summary
Pope Leo XIV, the American pope, has begun a summer vacation at Castel Gandolfo after a decisive first half of 2026. During this period, he emerged as a powerful global statesman addressing issues like artificial intelligence and war, while also exercising strong papal authority to govern internal church matters. The article details his whirlwind finale to the first half of the year, including his assertive leadership style and key actions taken.
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Key quotes
· 3 pulledPope Leo XIV began a summer vacation on Sunday, capping a whirlwind finale to the first half of 2026 in which he emerged as a powerful global statesman on issues from artificial intelligence to war and flexed decisive papal muscle to govern internal church problems.
Leo is spending the rest of July at the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, the Vatican's historic summer residence south of Rome that the American pope has turned into his weekly getaway for tennis and swimming.
The Vatican said Leo would remain there until July 27, with all audiences suspended, and confirmed specu
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