VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has made peace with Jannik Sinner. The top-ranked tennis player visited the new pope on Wednesday, gave him a tennis racket and offered to play, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV vowed to take “every effort” Wednesday to work for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine and to actively promote the spirituality and traditions of the eastern rite churches, those Catholic communities with origins in the Mideast and eastern Europe that have been decimated by years of conflict and persecution.

The new pontiff spoke to NBC News anchor Lester Holt, who was part of a news conference for some 6,000 journalists from around the world.

Pope Leo XIV identified artificial intelligence as one of the most critical matters facing humanity during his first formal audience.

After celebrating his first Mass as pope, Leo XIV is slated to have a full schedule in the coming days. His next engagement is expected to be a May 10 meeting with cardinals. He'll then have midday prayers on May 11 from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

World No. 1 tennis star Jannik Sinner visited Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, gave him a tennis racket and offered to play, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open. Leo, the first American pope, is an avid tennis player and fan.

Louis Prevost defended his inflammatory social media posts, but said he’s been attempting to "bite my tongue" since his younger brother’s surprise election as pope

Something like this is a nice little shot in the arm for the organization,” said chief revenue and marketing officer Brooks Boyer.