VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV met Thursday at the Vatican with the head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, in one of his first audiences as pontiff that reaffirmed his appeal for a peaceful, negotiated end to Russia’s war.

Nevertheless, the women who have worked closely with Prevost in recent years have praised his leadership style, ability to listen and respect for their opinions. In interviews with The Associated Press, they say they expect that as pope, Leo will continue to promote women in church governance positions, albeit with limits.

According to Father White, Father Prevost’s thesis has a vision that could be extended beyond the Augustinian rule and the role of the order’s prior to be applied to the episcopacy, and even to the papacy.

The new pope will preside over an inauguration Mass on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, according to the Vatican.

A Midwesterner, like the new Pope Leo XIV, Burger swelled with pride and saw a little opportunity for motivation. “Basically, I kind of thought: New Pope, new me,” Burger said Wednesday night. “He’s a Midwestern guy like me. I was proud. And since he’s been elected Pope, we’ve been rather hot.”

The Holy Father stressed that the Holy See ‘is always ready to help bring enemies together’ to dialogue and recover ‘the dignity of peace.’

Less than a week after Pope Leo XIV took the helm as head of the Catholic Church, he is already making the first social media posts of his papacy and promising to maintain an active digital presence.