Pope Leo XIV marks his 71st birthday on Monday, September 14, 2026, receiving well-wishes from across the globe following a dynamic year highlighted by international Apostolic Journeys, relentless calls for global peace, and key encyclicals on modern human dignity. Among the first to convey greetings was the presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), which expressed gratitude for the Pontiff’s dedication to placing the Gospel at the heart of ecclesial life and fostering welcoming, missionary communities.
Over the past year, Pope Leo has established peace and reconciliation as core pillars of his pontificate, invoking both themes more than 400 times in public addresses. Aligning with his Sunday Angelus message emphasizing that genuine peace stems from forgiveness, the Pope’s diplomatic efforts have consistently championed an “unarmed and disarming” approach to resolving global conflicts through unity and active dialogue.
His recent Apostolic Journeys reflect this commitment through a series of historic milestones. His maiden journey took him to Türkiye and Lebanon—where he marked the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea by emphasizing Christian unity—followed by groundbreaking papal visits to Monaco and Algeria. In Spain, he became the first Pope to address the Spanish Parliament, and in July, he visited Lampedusa to advocate directly for the dignity of migrants.
Pope Leo’s pastoral leadership has also been defined by landmark documents and major church events. After formally closing the 2025 Jubilee Year on January 6 by sealing the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, he published his first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, which called for artificial intelligence to serve ethical responsibility and the common good. He also finalized Dilexi te, an Apostolic Exhortation focused on love for the poor.
Born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, Pope Leo XIV enters his 72nd year with a clearly established papal legacy centered on hope, unity, and defending human dignity in a changing world.