The new pontiff met with journalists and members of the media for the first time on Monday, May 12 — one of his first acts as pope. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, was elected on May 8.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has taken over the Vatican’s official social media handles, with a first Instagram post on Tuesday repeating the first words he said to the world as pope: “Peace be with you all!” The @Pontifex – Pope Leo XIV post featured some of the photos that have documented the first days of history’s first American pope.

The way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war,” Pope Leo told members of the media on Monday.