Pope Leo XIV appoints Alvarado as prefect of communication, marking the first time a laywoman, not a religious sister, holds this position at the Holy See.
Pope Leo XIV expressed his displeasure over the US and Iran's inability to steer diplomatic efforts to end the conflict back on track, while many civilians continue to suffer.
US President Donald Trump claims he is not opposing Pope Leo XIV, but then inaccurately states the Vatican leader once said "Iran could possess nuclear weapons".
The Our Lady of La Vang statue, crafted from Nghe An stone, was flown to the Vatican in 4/2025 to introduce "the beloved Mother of the Vietnamese people."
Donald Trump stated he is not fond of Pope Leo XIV, citing the pontiff's "leftist ideology" following the Vatican leader's message calling for an end to the Iran conflict.
