Top World News
Social media bursts with American pride over new pope from Chicago
After history was made Thursday with the announcement that the Catholic church had a new pope, users took to social media to express pride that Leo XIV was an American from Chicago."Holy smokes!! An American Pope! From CHICAGO!!!" wrote Democratic consultant David Axelrod.Late Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) daughter Meghan McCain posted, "THE FIRST AMERICAN POPE!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS AMAZING!!!!""Robert Prevost - the first American pope, is a Villanova grad," wrote Barstool Philly.ALSO READ: ‘Pain. Grief. Anger’: Families heartbroken as Trump backlash smashes adoption dreams"Robert Prevost from Chicago has been elected Pope - the first American Pope in history," wrote podcaster Mueller, She Wrote.Journalist and influencer Kat Abughazaleh posted, "CHICAGO POPE?!""We finally have a Chicago Guy for pope," wrote New York Times columnist Jamelle.Author Meg Elison wrote, "the holy pizza wars have begun."Journalist Ed Krassenstein wrote, "Meet Pope Leo XIV of AMERICA -- Robert F. Prevost. He's a centrist with progressive views on social issues."Barstool Chicago wrote, "The first American pope was born and raised in Chicago. Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV.""The first American born Pope is also from the Midwest," wrote Midwest vs. Everybody.
What to know about the first American pope
Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69 — now known as Pope Leo XIV — was named as the first leader of the Catholic church to come from America Thursday.Born in Chicago, Prevost spent much of his career serving as a missionary in Peru. He was made a cardinal by the previous Pope, Francis, just two years ago. He was a strong supporter of his predecessor.For the past two years, he has worked in the Vatican choosing priests that should serve as Bishops across the world. In a signal that he supports work done by Pope Francis to bring more liberal ideology to the Vatican, he said in 2023, "Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church."
'Such an honor': Trump issues statement after finding out new Pope is American
President Donald Trump gave his congratulations to the new pope, an American from Chicago, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.On Truth Social, Trump posted that he was looking forward to meeting the Holy Father."Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope," Trump wrote. "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"ALSO READ: ‘Pain. Grief. Anger’: Families heartbroken as Trump backlash smashes adoption dreamsThe new pope addressed the crowd in St. Peter's Square about an hour after white smoke began billowing from the roof of the Sistine Chapel.Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away after giving an Easter Sunday address to the faithful outside the Vatican.
Trump again urges ceasefire in Russia-Ukraine war, threatens sanctions
President Trump on Thursday called for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, threatening to impose sanctions on both countries if the conflict rages on.
New Pope named in Vatican City — an American
A new Pope has been named in Vatican City.The announcement came minutes after white smoke was seen coming from a Sistine Chapel chimney, a historic signal that a conclave of cardinals had made their decision.The new Pope was revealed as Robert F. Prevost, an American. The announcement was made by him walking out onto the Vatican balcony.He took the name Pope Leo XIV.
Trump backs down to hand 'major concession' to Saudi Arabia: report
The U.S. is no longer requiring Saudi Arabia to formally recognize Israel in order to move forward on nuclear cooperation talks, according to Reuters.The move is considered to be a "major concession by Washington.""Under former President Joe Biden, nuclear talks were an element of a wider U.S.-Saudi deal tied to normalization and to Riyadh's goal of a defense treaty with Washington," Reuters reported.The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords signed during President Donald Trump's first term. Saudi Arabia "has repeatedly said it would not recognize Israel without a Palestinian state.""Progress towards Saudi recognition of Israel has been halted by fury in Arab countries over the war raging in Gaza," the report said.ALSO READ: ‘Pain. Grief. Anger’: Families heartbroken as Trump backlash smashes adoption dreamsWhen he visited Saudi Arabia in April, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the kingdom and the United States were on a "pathway" to a civil nuclear agreement."Riyadh wants to build nuclear generation capacity as it seeks to diversify its economy away from oil," the report said. "Nuclear power could also help free up more crude barrels for export."Trump is scheduled to travel to the Middle East next week in his first major foreign trip of his second term, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates."This is the second time Trump has chosen Saudi Arabia over the U.S.’ closest neighbors," for his first major international trip.Read the Reuters story here.
Treasury sanctions Chinese firms, ships for role in Iranian oil sales
The Treasury Department on Thursday slapped sanctions on several Chinese companies and other elements the department said are involved in buying millions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil.
U.S. says it will reduce health aid to Zambia because medicines were stolen and sold
The United States will cut $50 million worth of medical aid a year to Zambia because of "systematic" theft of the aid in past years and the government's failure to crack down on that, the U.S. ambassador said Thursday.
Israel closes 6 U.N. schools for Palestinians in east Jerusalem
Israel permanently closed six U.N. schools in east Jerusalem on Thursday, forcing Palestinian students to leave early and throwing the education of more than 800 others into question.
'Putin is playing them': Senator 'heartsick' over ignorance of Trump and Vance on Russia
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) said he is “heart sick” to know Vice President J.D. Vance and President Donald Trump still have no idea “Putin is playing them.”The comments came on MSNBC’s Morning Joe in reaction to comments made by Vance and Trump. Anchor Mika Brzezinski first played Vance’s candid assessment of where negotiations stand between Russia and Ukraine from Wednesday morning. ALSO READ: ‘Pain. Grief. Anger’: Families heartbroken as Trump backlash smashes adoption dreamsThe Vice President, in part, said, “I wouldn't say that the Russians are uninterested in bringing this thing to a resolution. What I would say is right now, the Russians are asking for a certain set of requirements, a certain set of concessions, in order to end the conflict. We think they're asking for too much. There's a big gulf, predictably, between where the Russians and the Ukrainians are, and we think the next step in the negotiation is to try to close that gulf. We think it's probably impossible for us to mediate this entirely without at least some direct negotiation between the two, and so that's what we focus on."Brzezinski said, “Hours later, President Trump was asked about Vance's comments.” “When did he say that?” Trump asked a reporter. “Earlier this morning,” the reporter replied.“Well, it's possible that he's right,” Trump said.“He may know some things because I've been dealing with this and some other things, but we are getting to a point where some decisions are going to have to be made. I'm not happy about it. I'm not happy about it.”“All right, senator, I don't even know what to make of that answer, actually,” Brzezinski said. “I am so worried. My guess is the US is turning its back on Ukraine.”ALSO READ: 'Dictatorship, not a town hall': Families 'distraught' as MTG disruptors tased and jailed“Well, Mika. If Vice President Vance is waking up to the idea that Russia under Putin is an aggressor, that's a good thing,” Coons said. “But it is just– it makes me heartsick on the 80th anniversary of our victory in Europe over aggression and fascism that it's so hard for President Trump and Vice President Pence to see clearly that Putin has been playing them for months. That [Putin] has no intention of coming to the table in good faith and negotiating a peace agreement.”He added, “Only by standing up to Putin, only by doubling down on our support for Ukraine, is there any hope of a just peace in the ongoing war.”Watch below or click the link right here. - YouTube youtu.be
Meta blocks major Muslim Instagram page in India amid rising conflict
Company referred to policy for restricting content when governments say material goes ‘against local law’Meta has banned a prominent Muslim news page on Instagram in India at the government’s request, the account’s founder said on Wednesday, denouncing the move as “censorship” as hostilities escalate between India and Pakistan.Instagram users in India trying to access posts from the handle @Muslim – a page with 6.7 million followers – were met with a message stating: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” Continue reading...
New pope led Order of St. Augustine dedicated to the poor and service
Cardinal Robert Prevost, the first U.S. pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church, previously led a Catholic religious order.
