Pope Leo XIV, the first American to head the global Catholic Church, pledged on Wednesday to make "every effort" for peace and offered the Vatican as a mediator in global conflicts, saying war was "never inevitable".

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.

Jazz fans may be disappointed to learn that newly elected Pope Leo XIV never moonlighted as trombone player "Bobby Prev" in his hometown of Chicago, contrary to social media posts sharing a supposed image of him playing the instrument.