Pope Leo XIV is visiting Naples and Pompeii to mark the anniversary of his election.
After arriving in Pompeii in on Friday morning, the first US-born pontiff is scheduled to meet local mayors, as well as people facing difficult living conditions and those who are ill or living with disabilities. He will also celebrate Mass there.
In the afternoon, the 70-year-old Leo will travel on to Naples, where he will meet other clergy and politicians. Leo is due to speak in the city's cathedral.
A meeting with the citizens of Naples is also planned before the pope flies back to Rome in the evening.
So far, Leo has caused a stir primarily through his clear criticism of US President Donald Trump’s policies, to which Trump has reacted sharply.
Unlike his predecessor Francis, he makes use of certain papal privileges. For instance, he regularly travels to the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo on the outskirts of Rome and resides in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.
He is putting the brakes on internal church reform issues such as the ordination of women as deacons or blessing ceremonies for gay couples.
Pope Leo leads 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. At the same time, he is the head of the Vatican, the world’s smallest state with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants.
