Global Instability and Leadership Shiftsactive

LONDON – The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is facing the biggest political crisis since taking office. Following a series of electoral defeats that have shaken the Labour Party, there is growing pressure within the party for him to either resign or, at the very least, announce a timeline for his departure. The deterioration of his leadership was exposed this weekend, when dozens of Labour MPs began publicly calling for a transition of power. This internal offensive accelerated after the poor results in local elections in England and in legislative votes in Scotland and Wales, which were seen as an informal referendum on Starmer's leadership. According to The Guardian, around 40 Labour MPs are now calling for the Prime Minister to resign or to define a date for his departure. The atmosphere in Westminster became even more tense after allies of the Secretary of Health, Wes Streeting, admitted that the leader is preparing to contest the leadership if the government "collapses." "Wes is not going to challenge Keir, but he is preparing in case everything falls apart," a source close to the minister told the British newspaper. Starmer is now relying on a speech scheduled for this Monday, with which he will attempt to regain political momentum and convince his own MPs that he can still turn the situation around. However, even within his cabinet, doubts are growing about his ability to remain in Downing Street…

ROME. One year is a short time to draw conclusions. And even more so for the papacy of Leo XIV, the first pope born in the United States, the first Augustinian pope who, unlike his predecessor, Francis, moves at a slow, prudent pace, without rushing, because he has a lot of time ahead of him. Robert Prevost, born in Chicago 70 years ago, but who served as a missionary and bishop in Peru, listens, reflects, and then acts. As a cardinal who participated in the conclave that elected him on May 8th of last year told LA NACION, in just one year he has made it clear that "he wants to implement the processes initiated by Francis, but with his own style, sober, prudent, and gentle," and to work for the unity of the Church and peace in the world. Leo XIV began his pontificate with a low profile, stating that he did not want to be the main focus, avoiding disruptive gestures like those of his informal Argentine predecessor. More traditional in his attire, following Vatican protocol, there were no surprises in the first few months, but rather a return to calm, with few headlines and a virtual disappearance from the media spotlight. "But where is the new American Pope?" many Romans wondered. Last August, when he completed his first 100 days at the helm of the "barque of Peter," Darío Menor Torres, a Vatican correspondent for the Spanish newspaper El Correo, summarized this more subdued profile by calling him a "diesel Pope." "Unlike Jorge Bergoglio, who was known for his spontaneity..."

LONDON.- While negotiations between the United States and Iran remain stalled, awaiting a response from the Iranian regime to Washington's latest proposal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom announced this Saturday that it will deploy a warship to the Middle East in anticipation of a potential international operation to protect navigation in the vital waterway. The HMS Dragon, an air defense destroyer, was deployed to the eastern Mediterranean in March, shortly after the start of the conflict with Iran, to help defend Cyprus. Its deployment to the Middle East follows France's decision to deploy its aircraft carrier strike group to the southern Red Sea, as both countries are collaborating on a defensive plan aimed at restoring confidence in the trade route. The HMS Dragon of the Royal Navy will support mine-clearing operations and protect ships as part of a strictly defensive plan, according to the British Ministry of Defense. "The pre-positioning of the HMS Dragon is part of a prudent planning process that will ensure the United Kingdom is prepared, as part of a multinational coalition led jointly by the United Kingdom and France, to secure the Strait when conditions allow," a ministry spokesperson stated. Franco-British Plan At a time when the United States and Iran are exchanging attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, despite the fragility...

Following the crushing defeat of the Labour Party in elections across the United Kingdom, several prominent members of the party have begun to pressure their leader, Keir Starmer, to set a timeline for his resignation within the next year. This comes after the party lost control of over 25 local councils and 1,000 seats in England in the elections held on Thursday. Many of these losses were to Reform UK, the party led by the far-right figure Nigel Farage, which made significant gains in the Midlands (central region) and the north of England, while also taking seats from the Conservatives in the south. Adding to this, the Labour Party also suffered a defeat in Wales, where their First Minister, Eluned Morgan, lost her seat, and in Scotland, the party fell to third place in voter preferences, behind the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Reform Party. In London, the rise of the Green Party, led by Zack Polanski, caused the Labour Party to lose control of local councils that it had dominated for years, such as Hackney and Waltham Forest. According to The Guardian, these results have led several senior MPs to react negatively to Starmer, some of whom had previously warned him that he needed to change course or risk electoral defeat. By Friday evening, ten lawmakers had already called on the British leader to…

ROME – Pope Leo XIV, the first Augustinian pope and the first to be born in the United States, celebrated his first anniversary as successor to Peter this Friday with a visit to the shrine of the Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii and the nearby city of Naples. From there, and the day after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio – sent to assess the damage after the attacks by Donald Trump – he once again made his voice heard, denouncing that peace is being "threatened by an economy that prioritizes the arms trade over respect for human life." "We cannot resign ourselves to the images of death that the news presents to us daily," he also declared, during a Mass he celebrated in the morning at the Marian shrine of Pompeii. "Exactly one year ago, when I was entrusted with the ministry of Successor to Peter, it was the day of the Novena to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii. That is why I had to come here, to place my service under the protection of the Most Holy Virgin," explained Robert Prevost, who was elected as the successor to Pope Francis in the afternoon of May 8, 2025, during a conclave that lasted less than 24 hours. "The fact that I chose the name Leo places me in the footsteps of Leo XIII, who, among other accomplishments, developed a comprehensive teaching on the Holy Rosary," added the Pope, who initially visited the sick who had gathered at the shrine, which was built thanks to…

Pope Leo XIV is celebrating his first year of papacy this Friday with a visit to the shrine of Pompeii and Naples, in southern Italy, where he prayed for peace and affirmed that on this day, he is the "first blessed." "What a beautiful day! How many blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us today! I feel like the first person to have the privilege of coming to the Shrine of Our Lady on the day of the Supplication, on this anniversary. Thank you all for being here!" the Pope said during his first event in Pompeii, addressing the sick who had gathered at the shrine. Pope Leo XIV chose this destination because May 8th is the anniversary of the beginning of the construction of the basilica, and it is the day when "The Supplication to the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary of Pompeii" is recited, a famous Catholic prayer written by the Blessed Bartolo Longo in 1883. Later, during the Mass celebrated at the shrine, Pope Leo XIV explained: "Exactly one year ago, when I was entrusted with the ministry of Successor of Peter, it was precisely the day of the Supplication to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii. That is why I had to come here, to place my service under the protection of the Most Holy Virgin." "The fact that I chose the name Leo places me in the footsteps of Leo XIII, who, among other merits, developed a vast teaching on the Holy Rosary," he added, referring to his choice of name as Pope. During the Mass at the shrine, the Pope affirmed that there are…

Pope Leo XIV will commemorate the first anniversary of his election as head of the Catholic Church this Friday with a visit to Pompeii and Naples, in southern Italy, following several weeks marked by tensions with Washington over his stance against the war. The pontiff, 70 years old and the first American to hold the position, will begin the day at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary in Pompeii, near the ruins of the ancient Roman city destroyed by a volcanic eruption. He is expected to arrive shortly before 9:00 AM local time. The shrine houses the body of Bartolo Longo, a 19th-century saint who rediscovered his Catholic faith after having been a satanic priest. Pope Leo XIV will pray before the crystal coffin containing Longo's remains and will preside over a Mass for thousands of faithful. Local authorities have prepared a comprehensive operation to welcome the pontiff. In the days leading up to the visit, workers installed hundreds of chairs in the square in front of the basilica and conducted sound checks on the stage from which the Pope will speak. Nicoletta Barbato, a 51-year-old resident of the area and a volunteer for a charitable organization that assists vulnerable families, stated that she will present a baby during the meeting planned with Pope Leo XIV. "The hope is that he will bless the five-month-old baby," Barbato said, adding that she will hold the child up so that the Pope can see her. The shrine maintains a special connection with Pope Leo XIV…

As Keir Starmer's government approaches its second year, the British people have had various opportunities to assess the performance of the Labour Party. The local elections held this Thursday in the United Kingdom were the first major test since 2024, following months in which the Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, had been leading in the polls. Tens of millions of people were eligible to vote in the elections, which included local authority elections in England, as well as the entire national parliaments of Scotland and Wales. While the former was expected to, as usual, turn its back on the Labour Party, the latter was also widely predicted to do so. The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is not on the ballot, and general elections are not scheduled to take place in the UK until 2029. Therefore, the local elections this Thursday were seen as the most accurate gauge of whether the Prime Minister will remain in office until the end of the current parliamentary term. In the days leading up to the election, British media were already referring to it as a "referendum on his leadership." However, this time, a Labour defeat does not necessarily translate into a Conservative victory. It is estimated that many voters will opt for other parties, representing what experts believe is the most significant transformation of British politics in a generation. The two main beneficiaries are expected to be Reform UK, the party…

PARIS – The French aircraft carrier strike group was heading south of the Suez Canal on Wednesday, entering the Red Sea, in preparation for a possible future mission related to the Franco-British plan for the Strait of Hormuz, according to the French Armed Forces. The repositioning of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort ships further south is the latest stage of a deployment in the Middle East that French President Emmanuel Macron first announced in a televised address on March 3, the day before Iran closed the strait. The movement south of Suez places France's only aircraft carrier near the point where the Persian Gulf narrows, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil normally passes, and where Iran has halted commercial traffic since early March. "Going south of Suez is something new for us," said Colonel Guillaume Vernet, spokesperson for the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces. "Geographically, it is closer to the Strait of Hormuz, and therefore will allow us to react more quickly, once the conditions are met." However, Vernet emphasized that the overall coalition for Hormuz, which includes France, the United Kingdom, and more than 50 countries, will not begin operations until two thresholds are met: the threat to navigation must be reduced, and the maritime industry must feel confident enough to use the strait...

Sir Roger Scruton, the English philosopher who passed away in 2020, became world-renowned for his minority conservative stance on various moral, social, and political issues. The Katankura Publishing House has just published a collection of essays under the title "Defense of the Nation-State" (translated by Felipe Torrealba and with a foreword by M. E. Orellana Benado, his student in London). The nation-state is a type of political and territorial organization that proliferated in the 19th and 20th centuries. We could say that the collection of flags is also a glimpse into the box of chocolates that is the political map of humanity. After a world dominated by religions or families (dynasties), came one in which trust extended to other human beings, not just those close by faith or blood. This was the world of the nation-state: the greatest capacity for unity in freedom and proximity. Beyond this ideal, it would degenerate into empire. The mutual trust among its diverse citizens allowed societies to understand themselves as the product of a contract; that is, of large collective agreements. Today, according to Scruton, this remarkable achievement is threatened by the behavior of groups belonging to other organizational traditions, whose codes of conduct are incompatible with those of the nation-state. And in one of his most controversial passages, he dismisses certain behaviors as mere "re..."

The West often fails to realize it is in danger until it is too late. King Charles III's speech to the United States Congress was an unusual—and necessary—attempt to break that complacency. History shows that words can change the course of events. John Fitzgerald Kennedy did so in Berlin. Anwar el-Sadat did so in Jerusalem. Mikhail Gorbachev did so by dismantling the logic of nuclear confrontation. Each understood that, in critical moments, moral clarity matters. That is precisely what Charles III offered: clarity. In an era marked by political relativism and strategic fatigue, the British monarch defended three uncomfortable truths. First, that democracy cannot survive without limits on power. Reminding us of the enduring relevance of the Magna Carta at the heart of American constitutionalism is not an academic gesture; it is a warning to those who trivialize institutional checks and balances. Second, that alliances are not optional. NATO is not a relic of the Cold War, but the cornerstone that has guaranteed the security of the West for generations. To question it, weaken it, or relativize its importance is not strategic realism; it is shortsightedness. Third, that the defense of Ukraine is a test of consistency. This is not just a regional conflict, but a matter of the credibility of the principle of sovereignty. If the West cannot uphold that principle in Europe, it is difficult to imagine…

Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno stated today that Argentina is "working every day to reaffirm its sovereignty rights" over the Falkland Islands through diplomatic channels. In the context of a recent email from the Pentagon that suggested the United States might not reiterate its support for the United Kingdom in the dispute, the official avoided directly addressing the document and emphasized the official diplomatic stance. In this vein, and in a conversation with radio Mitre, he explained that the goal is to accumulate international support for a bilateral negotiation with London, and reiterated: "The resolution of the Falkland Islands issue will always be achieved through diplomatic means." Although he acknowledged differences with the United Kingdom, he emphasized that the path forward will be dialogue, in a negotiation aimed at a "medium to long-term" solution. On another note, Quirno explained the importance of President Javier Milei's upcoming trip to the United States. As Infobae had previously reported, the President will participate tomorrow in Los Angeles at the Milken Institute forum, often referred to as the "Davos of California." The Foreign Minister dismissed reports that characterized the trip as a private activity with no institutional relevance. "Absolutely not. The President's travels, presidential diplomacy, are crucial for Argentina's integration into the world," the official stated, and he will be part of the official delegation, after which he will travel to Costa Rica to attend the inauguration of President Victoria Fernández. The fo…

ROME – In a challenging but not impossible mission aimed at easing tensions, the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, will meet with Pope Leo XIV next Thursday. As reported this Sunday by Corriere della Sera, Rubio, a Catholic who previously met with the first American pope last May, when he attended his inauguration mass, will also meet with his counterpart, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Although not officially announced, Vatican sources confirmed the meeting. The goal is to reduce the bilateral tensions that have escalated since April 12th, two weeks ago, when Donald Trump attacked the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics in a disrespectful and unusual post on his social media platform, Truth Social. Indeed, Trump was furious about an interview given by three American cardinals close to Pope Leo XIV to the CBS program "60 Minutes." These cardinals are staunch critics of the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28th, which they considered "unjust." The former U.S. President then accused his fellow American of being "weak" on crime, "terrible in foreign policy," and even claimed that he had been elected in the conclave because Trump was in the White House. Trump also reacted to the repeated calls for peace made by Pope Leo, who had also described Trump's rhetoric as "unacceptable"...

Carlos III had to wait over seven decades to wear the crown, and this week he demonstrated that he had prepared his entire life for this moment. His visit to the United States could hardly have gone better: most of the British press highlighted how he made a strong impression on his special ally, showed his host that politics can be conducted with style, revitalized the monarchy, and, incidentally, managed to get tariffs lifted on Scotch whisky. He had no room for error. The British royal family, constantly plagued by scandals, needs to constantly reaffirm its relevance. The King managed to achieve this in a way that allowed British media to celebrate him without delving into sensitive topics such as his relationship with his son Harry or the arrest of his brother in the Epstein case, something that will undoubtedly resurface when the initial excitement fades. "The King Charles' visit to the White House was a masterclass in distraction and denial," declared Frances Ryan, a columnist for The Guardian, who did not share the enthusiasm of most of her colleagues. In Washington, almost everyone was delighted by the King's return. The highlight of what many called a "diplomatic masterpiece" was his 2600-word speech before Congress, in which he defended NATO, supported Ukraine, invoked the Constitution, the rule of law, and the separation of powers, and, paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, said that "the world does not..."

King Charles III arrived in Bermuda on Thursday, concluding a state visit to the United States focused on repairing ties between Washington and London, which had been strained by the war in the Middle East against Iran. The monarch was received at the airport in Hamilton, the capital of the British territory, by Prime Minister David Burt and other local officials. This stop marks Charles's first visit to a British Overseas Territory as sovereign, following a day of activities in small American towns, where he was accompanied by Queen Camilla, who is not participating in this leg of the trip in Bermuda. The four-day visit to the United States was considered a success. U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the monarchs at the White House and offered them a formal white-tie dinner. "He is a great king, the best king in my opinion," the president told the press when Charles arrived early on Thursday to say goodbye before departing for Bermuda. After a brief exchange and farewell, Trump added: "Wonderful people. We need more people like that in our country." Hours later, Trump announced the removal of tariffs on Scotch whisky "in honor" of Charles and Camilla. "The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else could, and almost without asking me!" the president posted on his Truth Social platform. In Bermuda, Charles received a ceremonial welcome before participating in activities…

King Charles III, the King of the United Kingdom and head of state of fourteen other Commonwealth realms, is in Washington D.C. His visit, occurring amidst tensions between Donald Trump and the British government over the Iran issue, might seem like just another piece of protocol. But it is more than that. We are witnessing monarchical diplomacy: deliberately silent, it doesn't interrupt, it doesn't confront. It subtly influences. When differences between allies become public—as has happened in recent weeks between the United States and the United Kingdom—the usual channels of politics become strained. Words carry more weight, and gestures are misinterpreted. It is in this fragile space that the figure of the monarch emerges. The king does not come to negotiate or correct his government. He comes to maintain the relationship. Through carefully crafted appearances and speeches, he promotes the values, power, and interests of the nation he represents. He does so through shared history and by offering a different language, one of closeness and humor. He cools tensions without contradicting; he brings people closer without conceding. We are now seeing the debut of King Charles III, but this type of diplomacy is not new. In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II visited Ghana, which had just gained independence. The context was delicate: President Kwame Nkrumah was moving closer to the Soviet sphere, and in London, there were suggestions to cancel the trip. The Queen went anyway and danced with Nkrumah in a scene that went around the world. Without making any statements, her gesture was unmistakable and served to…

PARIS. – As of Tuesday, Europe has a new leader: King Charles III of England. A king who, in a rare and exquisite display of political diplomacy, had the courage to remind his former colony, and especially its president, Donald Trump, of republican principles, looking them directly in the eye. "A king lecturing on republican democracy! It was a truly masterful diplomatic performance," exclaimed Abnousse Shalmani, a political commentator for the BFM television network, on Wednesday. Shalmani's applause was not the only one. The praise for King Charles III was effusive throughout the continent: "Historic speech," "an act of resistance with a velvet glove," "a political genius disguised by good manners"... The high-level diplomatic exercise carried out by the British monarch on Tuesday, not only before the United States Congress, but also during the gala dinner that marked the second day of his state visit to the United States, would undoubtedly have been a source of pride and admiration for his own parents, who held him in such low esteem when he was young that, in an attempt to "toughen him up," they decided to send him to Gordonstoun School in Scotland, one of the most rigorous institutions in Great Britain, where he suffered bullying, harassment, and persecution from his classmates. "At 77 years old, battling cancer and leading a truly dysfunctional family, Carl..."

Loaded with political and historical symbolism, King Charles III conveyed an implicit, yet clear, message to Donald Trump and his administration during his visit to the United States: the importance of respecting the pillars of democracy, even in times of tension. This is the interpretation of an analysis by CNN, which reviewed the speech delivered by the British monarch to the U.S. Congress. What did the King say in his speech? Rather than a direct criticism, the King opted for a measured tone, true to the tradition of the British monarchy. However, the media interpreted his words as an elegant warning about the political direction of the United States. "The words of the United States carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence," King Charles III stated at the Capitol. "The actions of this great nation matter even more." According to CNN, the monarch "did not reprimand or criticize the Trump administration," but rather "implicitly disapproved" of the political direction of the United States, by highlighting values such as the rule of law, institutional checks and balances, and international alliances. In this vein, he defended "an independent judiciary that resolves disputes and delivers impartial justice," in a context where his words were interpreted as a contrast to recent decisions made by the White House. The King's subtle references The message also included references to sensitive topics for the U.S. administration. King Charles III alluded to...

London became the home of the world's longest tiramisu, which was unveiled to the public on April 26th in the iconic Chelsea neighborhood. A team of pastry chefs and volunteers, led by an Italian chef, elevated this dessert to the highest level in international gastronomy. The creation surpassed 400 meters in length and set a new Guinness World Record. As part of a charitable initiative in support of the Esharelife Foundation, based in England, a giant tiramisu was produced. With each portion sold to the public, funds were raised to address the needs of the most disadvantaged regions of the planet. The dessert measured 440.58 meters, significantly longer than the one made in 2019, which was 273.5 meters. Over 100 pastry chefs and volunteers worked on its creation, under the guidance of the master pastry chef Mirko Ricci. Massimo Fedriga, president of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in Italy, the birthplace of tiramisu, told Il Dolomiti: "This traditional masterpiece was dedicated to King Charles III and Queen Camilla. But what fills us with pride is the noble purpose of this initiative. When artisanal excellence combines with solidarity, the result is always positive for everyone. A round of applause to all our local bakeries, who have brought the name and flavors of Friuli to the highest levels in the world." The pastry chefs worked with strict culinary standards, and the process demanded…

WASHINGTON.- A formal reception with royal pomp on the South Portico of the White House; a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump to smooth over tensions at a time of high strain between two allies; a highly anticipated speech before the U.S. Congress, in which he will highlight the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom and speak of "reconciliation"; and a closing state dinner. With a politically significant agenda, King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, faces his second day of a state visit in Washington this Tuesday, a visit that has captured international attention due to the deep disagreements between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the role of Britain and NATO in the war in the Middle East, among other points of conflict. The King's speech before Congress, scheduled for 3:00 PM local time, will be one of the central moments of his four-day tour, the second time a British monarch has addressed both houses after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spoke before them in 1991. It is the centerpiece of the state visit, the most high-profile event of Charles's reign, and will be followed by a state dinner on Tuesday evening. In his 20-minute address, King Charles III will acknowledge that the United Kingdom has had its differences with the United States, but he will emphasize that "both countries have always found ways to come together," according to a preview from Buckingham Palace. The royal visit – of great …

The Vice President of Argentina, Victoria Villarruel, demanded that the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands "return to Great Britain" if "they feel British," in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) that were immediately picked up by major British newspapers. The statements came at a time of heightened diplomatic tension: just days before, the leak of an internal Pentagon memorandum had raised the possibility that Washington might withdraw its historical support for the United Kingdom's sovereignty over the archipelago. "Today, more than ever, the Falklands are Argentinian," Villarruel wrote on X. "The discussion about the sovereignty of our islands is between states, therefore the United Kingdom must discuss bilaterally with Argentina the claim we maintain for legal, historical, and geographical reasons. The islanders are British people living on Argentinian territory; they are not part of the discussion," the Vice President added. In response to a user who claimed that "the islanders are Argentinian," Villarruel retorted: "If they feel British, they should return to the thousands of kilometers where their country is." "Today, more than ever, the Falklands are Argentinian. The discussion about the sovereignty of our islands is between states, which is why the United Kingdom must discuss bilaterally with Argentina the claim we maintain for legal, historical, and geographical reasons. The islanders are British..."

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to arrive in the United States on Monday for a four-day official visit. This follows confirmation from the British Royal Household that the itinerary will not be altered, despite the shooting that occurred near a dinner hosted for journalists at the White House, where President Donald Trump was present. The decision was made after consultations between British and American authorities, who reaffirmed the safety of the visit. The incident, which occurred on Saturday near the event in Washington, led the Secret Service to evacuate the president and to reinforce security protocols around the U.S. capital. According to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, investigations suggest that the attack was targeted at the president and senior officials in his administration. Despite the tense atmosphere, Blanche assured that it is "safe" for Charles III and Camilla to proceed with the planned schedule. The state visit, the first for King Charles III as monarch to the North American country, will include a private meeting with President Trump and a speech before the United States Congress to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event aims to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries, which have faced differences in recent months regarding the war in Iran and other global issues. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace announced this Sunday that, after a day…

ROME. A year after the death of the first Argentinian pope, books continue to be published about his life, legacy, and pontificate. Among them, one stands out as particularly moving: "Father," an unpublished portrait of Pope Francis, written by Italian journalist Salvatore Cernuzio, who works for Vatican media outlets (Radio Vatican, Vatican News, L'Osservatore Romano). Cernuzio, 38 years old, married, and a father of four, reveals in this accessible, almost cathartic, and deeply emotional book, the incredible friendship that developed between them after he personally handed Pope Francis a letter during the papal flight to Iraq in March 2021. This was followed by an unexpected phone call that marked the beginning of a very close bond. "This book is born as an act of recognition towards a man, a Pope, who has changed the lives of many and touched the hearts of countless people," Cernuzio explains in his preface. He unveils intimate moments, conversations filled with humor, anecdotes, and discussions that reveal the profound humanity of the first Argentinian pope, right up until his final days. Published by Piemme, the book revisits the trips that the Pope had hoped to make to Moscow and Kyiv, to Gaza (where he regularly called the Argentinian parish priest of the Church of the Sagrada Familia, Gabriel Romanelli), and to his beloved Argentina. "There's something that doesn't quite sit right with me," he confessed to the Pope about the never-realized trip to his homeland, "something he intended to do but wasn't entirely convinced about." The journalist, of Calabrian origin…

The inhabitants of the Falkland Islands defended their status as a British Overseas Territory and emphasized their right to self-determination, in light of the possibility that the United States might reconsider its support for the United Kingdom in the dispute with Argentina. This potential development, stemming from tensions related to the war against Iran, has prompted official responses and reactions in both London and Buenos Aires. The residents of the archipelago reaffirmed their desire to maintain their current political status and highlighted the overwhelming support demonstrated in the 2013 referendum, when 99.8% of voters chose to remain linked to London. They expressed that they would not accept any reduction in their right to decide their political future and rejected attempts to turn the Falkland Islands issue into a bargaining chip in international relations. An official spokesperson for the Falkland Islands Executive Council stated that "self-determination is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations." They also recalled that the aforementioned referendum, with a 92% participation rate, was internationally supervised and forms the cornerstone of the local position on the legitimacy of British sovereignty. Island authorities, quoted by The Sun and The Telegraph, expressed the population's concern regarding reports of potential measures that the Pentagon might consider as part of Washington's retaliatory actions against European allies in the Iranian conflict. A spokesperson for the veterans...

Amidst the government's reactions to the United Kingdom's statements regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, Vice President Victoria Villarruel criticized La Libertad Avanza (LLA) congresswoman Sabrina Ajmechet for an old social media post in which she claimed that the islands were not Argentinian. "It's a disgrace," the Senate President stated. The congresswoman responded: "Being a traitor is shameful." "Ajmechet is a disgrace," Villarruel posted on X, citing a post by the libertarian congresswoman dated February 14, 2012. The post stated: "The Falkland Islands are neither Argentinian, nor have they ever been." Although the post is no longer available on Ajmechet's account, the congresswoman acknowledged that it existed, assumed that it "was wrong," and responded to Villarruel. "It's a disgrace that the Vice President of a country attacks a ruling party congresswoman. Let's be even clearer: it's a disgrace that a Vice President is against her own government," the congresswoman stated. Following this, she added: "That's what's disgraceful, Victoria Villarruel. Being a traitor is shameful. Working since Milei became president to undermine his government – something you need to be constantly reminded of, since you are part of it – is a disgrace." Ajmechet emphasized that since she became a congresswoman – first in Pro and now in LLA – they have "never been able to find a single fact or statement" of hers that was against...

In an interview during "Infobae al Regreso," Daniel Filmus argued that the recent international debate surrounding the Falkland Islands represents an opportunity for Argentina, and warned that "every time the world discusses the Falkland Islands, the political cost for the United Kingdom increases." In a conversation with the "Infobae al Regreso" team, Filmus reviewed the consequences of the United States' neutrality on the global stage. "The United States has never taken a position in favor of the United Kingdom, except during the Falklands War. The United States' position has always been neutral." The impact of U.S. neutrality on Argentina's claim Filmus emphasized that, for Argentina, the reemergence of the Falkland Islands on the international agenda is a significant achievement. "This is a great opportunity for Argentina, because it has once again placed the issue of the Falkland Islands on the agenda and in the international spotlight," he stressed. He recalled that the United Kingdom's interest is for the issue to "never reappear," while the visibility of the claim makes it more difficult for the British position. Regarding the role of the United States, Filmus was emphatic: "The benefit for Argentina would be to vote in alignment with Argentina," although he clarified that the United Kingdom would prefer an explicit endorsement from Washington. "The United States does not do this because it also has another doctrine: 'America for the Americans,' which contradicts the idea that the United Kingdom, a European country, should have a part of..."

LONDON – King Charles III of the United Kingdom is departing for the United States on Monday, where he faces a delicate diplomatic balancing act following months of tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the recent leak of an email in which Washington is reportedly considering withdrawing its support for the United Kingdom in its dispute with Argentina over the Falkland Islands. Officially, Buckingham Palace presents this four-day visit, organized at the request of the British government, as an opportunity to "celebrate the historical ties" between the two countries on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of American independence. However, few royal tours have sparked so much controversy. New Tensions over the Falklands The Reuters news agency reported this Friday that an internal email from the Pentagon outlines options for the United States to sanction NATO allies who, in its opinion, did not support U.S. operations in the war against Iran. Among these options is the suspension of support for the United Kingdom in its dispute with Argentina over the Falkland Islands. A U.S. source told the agency that these "punishment" options, which would also include the expulsion of Spain from NATO, are detailed in a note expressing frustration with the apparent reluctance or refusal of some allies to grant the United States certain rights…

WASHINGTON.- The Reuters news agency reported this Friday that an internal email from the Pentagon outlines the options available to the United States for sanctioning NATO allies who, in its opinion, did not support U.S. operations in the war against Iran. These options include suspending support for the United Kingdom in its dispute with Argentina over the Falkland Islands. A U.S. source told the agency that these "punishment" options, which would also include Spain's expulsion from NATO, are detailed in a memo expressing frustration over the apparent reluctance or refusal of some allies to grant the United States access, basing, and overflight (ABO) rights for the war against Iran, which began on February 28. Shortly after the leak, officials in the United Kingdom downplayed the reports and reaffirmed their position. The email stated that ABO rights are "simply the minimum requirement for NATO," according to the official, who added that the options were circulating among high-ranking officials at the Pentagon. One of the options mentioned in the email proposes suspending "difficult" countries from important or prestigious positions within NATO. The memo also includes the option of reconsidering U.S. diplomatic support for long-standing European "imperial possessions," such as the Falkland Islands. The website of the Depar…

President Javier Milei stated that his government is "making progress like never before" regarding Argentina's claim of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, although he acknowledged: "It doesn't solely depend on us." "We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the Falkland Islands return to the hands of Argentina. Sovereignty is not negotiable, but it must be pursued with careful consideration, with intelligence. There's a quote from Marshall that I love, which says: 'Cool brains in the service of a warm heart,'" the president said yesterday in an interview with the digital channel Neura. He added: "There is no forum where we do not make this claim. We are obtaining unprecedented levels of support, like that from Chile. Both with (Diana) Mondino, with (Gerardo) Werthein, and now with (Pablo) Quirno, this has been a priority issue for us." Milei's words take on particular significance in light of information released today by Reuters, concerning an internal document circulating at the highest levels of the U.S. Department of Defense. This document outlines a series of retaliatory measures that the Trump administration was considering against allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) who refused to support military operations in the Middle East. Among these measures was a reconsideration of U.S. diplomatic support for European claims regarding "imperial possessions," with...

The possibility that the United States might reconsider its support for British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, following statements by Donald Trump, has sparked a strong reaction in the British press. Media outlets such as The Sun, The Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Independent, and The Guardian highlighted the impact of this warning, which stemmed from an internal email leaked from the Pentagon. The email mentioned the option of punishing the United Kingdom for its stance on the conflict with Iran. The newspaper The Sun reported that Trump might examine the U.S. position regarding British sovereignty over the "Falkland Islands" (the name used by the British for the Malvinas) as a form of retaliation for the United Kingdom's refusal to allow the use of its bases in the context of the recent conflict with Iran. The publication emphasized that the information came from internal documents within the Pentagon, which outlined potential measures against allies who, in the opinion of the former U.S. president, did not support the United States in military actions. According to The Telegraph, the leak revealed that Washington is considering "penalizing" NATO partners who are reluctant to support the offensive in the Middle East. Among the sanctions being considered is "a review of support for the British claim" over the Falkland Islands, which would represent a shift in the traditional alliance between the two countries and reignite the debate about the sovereignty of the archipelago in the South Atlantic, which is administered by the…

Agroecology has gained traction in Africa as a model for strengthening food security and the resilience of rural communities. The adoption of this approach has transformed the lives of thousands of farmers in African countries. This phenomenon is driving changes in food production, soil management, and adaptation to climate change, as communities seek solutions to current challenges. Experiences in various African countries demonstrate that agroecology allows for crop diversification, reduces the use of external inputs, and protects soil fertility. According to research published in the scientific journal Frontiers, regional agricultural organizations and rural families have been able to improve their self-sufficiency and food security. Furthermore, this approach promotes risk reduction in the face of environmental and economic crises. According to reports from the United Nations, 70% of the African population relies on family farming for their livelihoods. Food insecurity affects more than 280 million people on the continent. Therefore, the use of agroecological practices has become an alternative for addressing droughts, pests, and climate change. Agroecology and Diversification: A Strategy for Crisis According to the scientific report, the transition to these systems has enabled farmers to increase the variety of crops and reduce their dependence on chemical products. According to the Alliance for Sovereignty…

Pope Leo XIV conveyed a message of hope to the inmates of one of the most well-known prisons in Equatorial Guinea during a visit that highlighted the prison conditions, human rights abuses, and injustices reported by activists in the country. The visit to the prison in the port city of Bata followed the tradition of meetings with inmates that the late Pope Francis maintained during his foreign travels. Pope Leo XIV focused on the local human rights record and the judicial system, which has been criticized for its lack of independence and allegations of arbitrary detentions. "You are not alone. Your families love you and are waiting for you. Many people outside these walls are praying for you," Pope Leo XIV said to the inmates in Spanish. "If any of you fear being abandoned by everyone, know that God will never abandon you, and the Church will be by your side." The inmates, dressed in orange uniforms, gathered in the central courtyard of the prison, which had recently been painted a salmon pink. As the pontiff delivered his message, a heavy storm soaked those present. In his message to the authorities, Pope Leo XIV reminded them that justice must protect society, but should not be limited to punishment. "To be effective, it must always promote the dignity and potential of each person," he stated. "True justice seeks not only to punish, but also to help rebuild the lives of those who..."

On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV visited one of the most infamous prisons in Equatorial Guinea, drawing attention to human rights abuses that activists have been denouncing for years, particularly since the United States began deporting migrants from third countries to this location. Pope Leo's visit to the prison in Bata, a port city in this Central African country, continues the tradition established by Pope Francis, who made visits to prisons a priority during his pontificate. Francis's goal was to offer hope to the inmates and remind them that the Church stood with them, while also highlighting judicial abuses, overcrowding, and other injustices. The visit marks the final full day of Pope Leo's trip to Africa and concludes an 11-day marathon tour of four countries, taking him from Algeria in the north to Angola in the south, with Cameroon in between. He was scheduled to begin the day with a Mass in Mongomo, in the eastern part of the country, before traveling to Bata, the country's most populous city on the coast. The itinerary also included a moment of prayer at a monument dedicated to the victims of an explosion that occurred in 2021 at a military barracks in Bata, which has been attributed to negligence. Documented Judicial Abuses The UN Human Rights Office celebrated the abolition of the death penalty in Equatorial Guinea in 2022, but its prisons and the overall justice system have been repeatedly criticized for…

The Vatican appeals court declared the trial against Cardinal Angelo Becciu null and void on Tuesday, ordering a new trial in a ruling that significantly impacts the judicial legacy of the late Pope Francis. The 16-page ruling stated that both the prosecution and Pope Francis himself committed procedural errors that undermined the original charges from their inception. The new trial is scheduled to begin on June 22nd. The ruling established two grounds for nullification. The first: documents gathered during the investigation were not fully provided to the defense, preventing the accused from knowing relevant evidence before the trial. The second, and more unprecedented: one of the four secret decrees signed by Pope Francis to expand the powers of the prosecutor was never published, and according to the court, this rendered it legally invalid. The defense lawyers described this point as historic: for the first time, a Vatican court declared a formal act of the Pope to be null and void. Becciu's lawyers, Fabio Viglione and Maria Concetta Marzo, stated that the ruling confirmed what they had maintained from the beginning: that the defense operated under conditions of disadvantage compared to the prosecution. "It demonstrates that from the very beginning, we were right to denounce the violation of the right to a fair defense," they stated, according to Associated Press. The 2023 conviction technically remains in effect, although Becciu is not currently serving a prison sentence while the appeals process continues.

Pope Leo XIV will visit the Bata prison in Equatorial Guinea this Wednesday. The facility is known for its poor conditions and has been criticized by human rights organizations due to overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and inadequate treatment of inmates. During his stay in Equatorial Guinea, the Pope will also meet with families and young people at the city's stadium and pay tribute to the victims of the fire and explosions at an ammunition depot that occurred in 2021, which resulted in over 100 deaths and approximately 600 injuries. In addition to Bata, the largest city and economic center of the country, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to Mongomo, near the border with Gabon, to celebrate mass and visit a school. The Pope's arrival in Equatorial Guinea is part of his African tour, which previously included stops in Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola, where Pope Leo XIV has addressed global issues with firmness. Upon his arrival on Tuesday, the representative of the Holy See urged the country's authorities to act "in the service of law and justice," in the context of reports of human rights violations in the country. The Pope's tone was more moderate compared to his previous interventions during the tour, in which he denounced the oppression of "tyrants," criticized the exploitation by the powerful, and responded to disagreements with Donald Trump regarding the conflict in the Middle East. Leo, aged 70…

In today's programme: Pope Leo XIV is in Angola, where he slammed exploitation and corruption by the rich and powerful before 40,000 faithful at an open-air mass in the city of Saurimo. Also, the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group say they have agreed to ease humanitarian aid deliveries and release prisoners within 10 days. And in Mali, more than a thousand people flee across the border into Mauritania, seeking safety from armed groups.

ON BOARD THE PAPAL PLANE – One year after the death of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to his predecessor and highlighted his spiritual legacy, his closeness to the most vulnerable, and his impact on the Church and the world. During a conversation with journalists on board the flight that was taking him from Angola to Equatorial Guinea, the final leg of his African tour, the Pontiff recalled Francis as a central figure in the contemporary Church. "We thank the Lord for the great gift of Francis' life to the Church and to the world," he said. Pope Leo XIV particularly emphasized the pastoral style of his predecessor, stressing that "he gave so much to the Church through his life, his testimony, his words, and his actions." In this regard, he highlighted his closeness to the most vulnerable sectors: "He truly lived close to the poor, the marginalized, the sick, children, and the elderly." The Pope also emphasized one of the central pillars of Francis' pontificate: fraternity. He recalled his insistence on promoting "genuine respect for all men and women," with the conviction that "we are all brothers and sisters." This vision, he noted, translated into a persistent message of mercy, present from his earliest public appearances to initiatives such as the Extraordinary Jubilee of 2015, which he inaugurated in Africa. Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, tr…

One year after the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican held commemorative events this Tuesday to honor the first Latin American pontiff. His successor urged that his legacy be perpetuated through fraternity and the joy of the Gospel. Pope Leo XIV delivered a message from his account on the social media platform X, stating: "On the first anniversary of the passing of our beloved Pope Francis, his words and actions remain etched in our hearts." The Pope called on the Catholic community and all of society to proclaim the joy of the Gospel, to uphold mercy as a guiding principle, and to promote fraternity among all peoples. "Let us embrace his legacy by always proclaiming the joy of the Gospel, announcing God's mercy, and promoting fraternity among all men and women of the world," he said. During the central Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a message from the current pontiff—who was absent from Rome due to a trip to Africa—was read. The message emphasized the importance of remembering the anniversary of Francis's death, in a ceremony that reaffirmed the significance of his figure. The Legacy of Francis, according to Leo XIV According to Leo XIV, the legacy of Francis has three pillars: the joy of the Gospel, mercy, and fraternity. The pontiff stressed that these values constitute the most enduring testament to Jorge Mario Bergoglio and must be renewed daily among the faithful and in the lives of…

The Vatican will hold a series of events this Tuesday to commemorate the first anniversary of Pope Francis's death. The day will take place at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, a Mass in his memory, and the premiere of a documentary dedicated to his pontificate. The commemoration takes place one year after Francis's passing, which occurred on April 21, 2025, at 7:35 AM at the Santa Marta House. Five days later, his funeral was held, and, in accordance with his wishes, his remains were transferred to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where they have remained ever since. The tribute will begin at 5:00 PM with the recitation of the Rosary in the Pauline Chapel, according to Vatican News. Subsequently, in the right section of the chapel, a plaque will be presented, commemorating the special bond between the Pope and the image of the Salus Populi Romani, one of the most representative Marian titles of Rome. The commemorative plaque, made of bronze, contains an inscription in Latin consisting of 160 characters in two different sizes. The plaque reads: "Francis, Supreme Pontiff, who paused 126 times in devout prayer at the feet of the Salus Populi Romani; according to his will, he rests in this Papal Basilica." Later, at 6:00 PM, a Mass will be celebrated in his memory. During the ceremony, a message sent by Pope Leo…

Elisabetta Piqué's interview with Pope Francis took place in March 2023. It was the Pontiff's last conversation with LA NACION, before his death on April 21, 2025. ROME. During the interview with LA NACION, in which he stated that what made him happiest in these ten years was "giving a place to everyone in the Church," when asked if he was writing a new encyclical, the Pope said no, and also denied that he had been asked to write a document on the topic of gender. Regarding this, he considered a "gender anthropology to be extremely dangerous because it negates differences, and that negates humanity," distinguishing it from pastoral care for people with diverse sexual orientations. On another note, he said he was unaware of the scandal that erupted at that time in Poland, where a documentary and a book accused Saint John Paul II of covering up a pedophile priest while he was the Archbishop of Krakow. - Are you working on a new encyclical or an important document? - No. - Is it true that you were asked to write a document on the topic of gender? - No, no one asked me for a document. They did ask for clarifications. I always distinguish between pastoral care for people with diverse sexual orientations and the ideology of gender. They are two different things. The ideology of gender, at this moment, is one of the most dangerous forms of ideological colonization. It goes beyond the sexual. Why is it dangerous? Because it dilutes differences, and...

SAURIMO, Angola – Pope Leo XIV denounced the exploitation of peoples by authoritarian leaders around the world during his visit to northeastern Angola on Monday. The Pope arrived in the city of Saurimo, a key hub in the diamond industry, to further his condemnation of corruption and the arrogance of the wealthy. According to the pontiff, the planet suffers from the actions of those who use power to oppress the most vulnerable. This statement is part of a tour of four African nations and reflects a much sharper tone than in his previous addresses. Saurimo serves as the capital of the Lunda Sul province, a region that has historically suffered from marginalization despite its vast natural resources. Located nearby is the Catoca mine, the largest gem deposit in Angola, from which 75 percent of the country's production originates. However, this mineral wealth does not reach the population, as a third of Angolans live below the extreme poverty line. The World Bank sets this threshold at just $2.15 per day, a figure that reflects the social divide in this former Portuguese colony. Pope Leo XIV argued that injustice corrupts hearts and allows the bread of all to fall into the hands of a few. The Holy Father's speech generated international repercussions. Pope Leo XIV did not hide his displeasure and described those who plunder the continent's natural resources as despots…

A BBC investigation found patterns in the spikes that occurred in stock markets before the U.S. President made significant public announcements.

Pope Leo XIV made a call for "hope" this Sunday during an open-air mass attended by 100,000 people in Kilamba, near Luanda, the capital of Angola. In his homily, the pontiff encouraged Catholics to "look to the future with hope" during the first mass celebrated by a pontiff in Angola, held in Kilamba, about 30 kilometers from Luanda. "We can and want to build a country where old divisions are definitively overcome, where hatred and violence disappear, and where the scourge of corruption is cured by a new culture of justice and fairness," he said to an audience of approximately 100,000 people, according to the Vatican, citing local authorities. Upon his arrival in Angola, the third leg of an 11-day African tour, the Supreme Pontiff condemned the "suffering" and "social and environmental catastrophes" caused by the "logic of exploitation" of the country's resources, which are rich in oil and minerals. This intervention highlighted the more assertive tone that the Pope has adopted since the beginning of his tour, just a few days after being harshly criticized by the President of the United States, Donald Trump. A vast crowd gathered in Kilamba, about 30 kilometers from Luanda, for the outdoor mass. Many people slept there, on the ground, wearing t-shirts with the image of the American Pope or displaying yellow and white Vatican flags. In the country, "the wealth..."

A scene that seems to have been lifted from another era resurfaced this Sunday on the outskirts of Paris. In the town of Colombes, northwest of the French capital, a World War II bomb prompted the deployment of a high-security operation that included the evacuation of thousands of people and the mobilization of nearly 800 agents. The device was discovered on April 10th during construction work on rue des Champarons. Since then, the area has been under strict surveillance, but it was only this Sunday morning that the complex operation to disarm it was initiated. According to the Hauts-de-Seine prefecture and reported by the Agence France-Presse news agency, the work began at 7:00 AM and quickly turned into a race against time. The bomb, which was initially embedded in a wall, was removed and transported to a specially excavated pit two meters deep, where specialists are attempting to neutralize it under controlled conditions. However, the procedure is not without risks and involves two possible scenarios. The first, and most desirable, is to extract the detonator, a delicate maneuver that could take up to four hours. But if that operation fails, the experts will have no choice but to trigger a controlled explosion underground, which would double the duration of the operation and increase the tension in the area. Meanwhile, the impact…

A massive crowd surged into Kilamba, near the Angolan capital of Luanda, this Sunday for a large outdoor mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV, marking the second day of his visit to this country grappling with significant economic and social inequalities. Upon his arrival in Angola, the third leg of an 11-day African tour, the pontiff condemned the "suffering" and "social and environmental catastrophes" caused by the "logic of exploitation" of the country's resources, which are rich in oil and minerals. This intervention highlighted the firm stance the Pope has adopted since the beginning of his tour, just days after being harshly criticized by the President of the United States, Donald Trump. On Sunday, tens of thousands of faithful gathered in Kilamba, about thirty kilometers from Luanda, for the outdoor mass. Many slept there, on the ground, wearing t-shirts with the image of the American Pope or displaying the yellow and white flags of the Vatican. In the country, "wealth is concentrated in the hands of a very small minority, and, of course, the war we experienced (1975-2002) only exacerbated the situation," said Father Pedro Chingandu, an Angolan priest, who arrived early at the site. "We need a true democracy, a redistribution of wealth, and justice," he added. Hope and reconciliation Patricio Musanga, 32 years old, orig…

Trump's attack on Prevost echoes Stalin and reveals a profound cultural deficiency.

NEW YORK. – Perhaps I will have to return to church. My mother always told me that the Catholic Church was much larger than the men who lead it. But I was so disillusioned with the men who were in charge during the time I was covering the scandals of sexual abuse that I could no longer bear to attend Mass. The Church, which had helped me develop a sense of right and wrong as a child, suddenly seemed to have forgotten what was right and wrong. But Pope Leo XIV, or Pope Bob – as he is sometimes affectionately called, the first American pope – might just win me over. U.S. President Donald Trump moves through the world like a ferocious and savage beast at dinnertime. Who could possibly stand up to him? Humble and with a gentle voice, Leo, who strives for unity, stands against a bombastic and self-absorbed Trump who seeks to divide. And seeing the Holy Father discipline the amoral president is a blessing. I am certain that his Holiness frowned upon the moment when U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth presented the conflict with Iran as a holy war and tried to put God on the side of the United States, while urging troops to unleash a "rain of death and destruction from above" upon the "apocalyptic" Iranian enemies. In March, Hegseth predicted "overwhelming violence against those who do not deserve mercy" and called upon God to "break... "

LONDON – The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is once again at the center of a political storm. Less than two years after assuming power with the promise of restoring integrity to the government, the Labour leader is now facing one of the most serious crises of his tenure, following revelations that cast doubt on his version of events regarding the controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. Mandelson was accused of having close ties to the convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The case, which had already been eroding his authority for months, took a new turn this week when the newspaper The Guardian reported that Mandelson had not passed the security clearance check before assuming the position at the beginning of 2025. This information contradicts what Starmer himself had stated before Parliament, where he claimed that the process had been carried out in accordance with the rules. This revelation has opened a delicate front. The Prime Minister is accused of having misled parliamentarians, a transgression considered particularly serious in the British political system. In response, Starmer expressed being "absolutely furious" at not having been informed of the negative assessment and described the situation as "unforgivable." Nevertheless, the explanations failed to contain the political pressure. Downing Street reacted quickly and forced the resignation of Olly Robbins, the senior official at the Ministry of…

LUANDA, Angola – Pope Leo XIV is at a turning point in his papacy. During a tour of Africa, the first American pontiff has adopted a more forceful and direct style of communication, with strong condemnations of war, inequality, and what he calls "economic neo-colonialism." This shift not only redefines his public image but also places him at the center of a growing tension with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, whom he avoids directly confronting. During his first ten months as head of the Catholic Church, Leo had maintained a relatively low profile, which is unusual for a modern pope. However, the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, particularly after the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, acted as a catalyst for change. Since then, his rhetoric has become more assertive and explicit, with open criticisms of international violence and the leaders who promote it. This change was evident in Africa. In countries such as Cameroon, Algeria, and Angola, Leo denounced that the world is being "devastated by a handful of tyrants" and questioned the economic interests that exploit natural resources to the detriment of local populations. He also warned about the social and environmental consequences of resource extraction, a criticism that resonated particularly in regions marked by structural poverty. This hardening of his discourse coincides with…

Minutes after boarding a flight to Angola, the third leg of his apostolic journey to Africa, Pope Leo XIV stated on Saturday (18th) that he has no interest whatsoever in discussing matters with the President of the United States, Donald Trump. "A certain narrative, not entirely accurate, has spread due to the political situation created when, on the first day of the journey, the President of the United States made some statements about me," the pontiff explained to journalists accompanying him. Related news: Pope Leo XIV criticizes a world "devastated by tyrants." Lula criticizes Trump's threats to the world and defends Pope Leo XIV. CNBB expresses support for Pope Leo XIV following Trump's criticism. "Much of what has been written since then is nothing more than commentary on commentary, in an attempt to interpret what was said," the pontiff emphasized, noting that the speech given at the Prayer Meeting for Peace, on the 16th, had been prepared two weeks prior. "Long before the President commented on me and on the message of peace that I am promoting. Nevertheless, it was interpreted as if I were trying to debate with the President again, something that is in no way of interest to me," he concluded. During the flight, the Pope gave a positive assessment of the three days spent in Cameroon, a country that, according to him, represents the "heart of Africa" in many respects, citing approximately 250 local languages and a wide variety of ethnicities. Peace and…

Pope Leo XIV, still on his tour of Africa and aboard the papal plane, clarified that his remarks made in Cameroon a few days ago, in which he stated that "a handful of tyrants are destroying the world," were not a response to the President of the United States, Donald Trump. Regarding this, he said that the speech given at the peace meeting in the African country was prepared two weeks prior, "long before the President commented on me and on the message of peace that I promote." He added that "it was interpreted as if I were trying to debate with the President once again, which is not my interest at all." Previously, the Pope had spoken about Trump's statements regarding the conflict with Iran, noting that "the threat against Iran is unacceptable. There are issues of international law, but above all, moral issues: there are many, many innocent people, children, and elderly individuals who would be affected if this threat were to become a reality." Following these remarks, the U.S. President described the Pontiff as "weak on crime" and "terrible in foreign policy." The highest authority of the Catholic Church, in turn, later told the press that "I am not afraid of the Trump administration, nor am I afraid to speak out about the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do." Later, the President of the United States said that he had nothing to say in response...

Pope Leo XIV stated this Saturday that the speeches delivered during his trip to Africa were not intended as a response to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and that he does not wish to prolong that debate. These statements were made aboard the plane transporting him from Cameroon to Angola, as part of his African tour, in the presence of the media. The pontiff noted that in recent days, "a certain narrative has emerged that is not accurate," due to "the political situation created on the first day of the trip when the President of the United States made some comments about me." He asserted that much of what has been published "has been more of an analysis of the speeches, attempting to interpret" his words. The Pope referred to interpretations that considered his speeches in Africa as responses to Trump, after the latter criticized him for his stance against the war in Iran and described him as "weak on crime" and "terrible in foreign policy." In this context, he cited his intervention at the peace meeting held in Bamenda, in the northwest of Cameroon, where a civil war has been ongoing for ten years, and declared that "a handful of tyrants are destroying the world." "The speech at the peace meeting a couple of days ago was prepared two weeks earlier, long before the President commented on me and on the message of peace that I promote," he said.

Pope Leo XIV is arriving in Angola this Saturday, marking the third leg of an African tour characterized by a series of statements exchanged with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the conflict in the Middle East, as well as calls for world peace. The sovereign of the Vatican City State will become the third pontiff to visit this country, where nearly 44% of the population adheres to the Catholic faith, following visits by John Paul II in 1992 and Benedict XVI in 2009. The Pope is scheduled to arrive in Luanda, the Angolan capital, at 2:00 PM (GMT), where the city already displays billboards with his image as a sign of welcome. Prior to this, he will conclude his three-day visit to Cameroon with an open-air mass at the airport in Yaoundé. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet with Angolan President João Lourenço and will deliver a speech. It is expected that tens of thousands of faithful will attend to see the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics before his departure, planned for Tuesday morning. "It's as if God is very close to us," said Helena Maria Miguel, a 40-year-old human resources manager, in a conversation with AFP, referring to the Pope's arrival. Pope Leo XIV's calls for world peace are likely to resonate in Angola, a country that emerged from a 27-year civil war in 2002, which began after its independence from Portugal in 1975. During his 11-day tour of four African countries, …

ROME – Following a surge in media attention after his firm response to the unusual attack by his compatriot, Donald Trump – "I am not afraid of him, I do not want to engage in a debate with him, but I will continue to proclaim the Gospel" – Pope Leo XIV, on a tour of Africa, emphasized the importance of truth this Friday, just as, on the other side of the Atlantic and thousands of kilometers away, the American president made completely false statements about him. "When deception becomes the norm, the human capacity for discernment atrophies, and our social bonds become confined to self-referential circuits that prevent us from seeing reality. In this way, we live as if we were inside impermeable bubbles, feeling threatened by anyone who is different, and we become accustomed to avoiding encounters and dialogue," Leo warned, during a meeting with students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. "This is how polarization, conflicts, fears, and violence spread. What is at stake is not simply the risk of error, but a transformation of the relationship with truth itself," he cautioned, speaking about a current era marked by the challenges of artificial intelligence systems. "The greatness of a nation cannot be measured solely by the abundance of its natural resources, nor by the inherent strength of its institutions. No society can prosper..."

On Friday, Pope Francis criticized those who "hoard" and "waste" food while others lack sustenance, stating that "there is enough bread for everyone if it is given to everyone," as he expressed during a mass in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, attended by 120,000 people. The Pope was greeted by hundreds of thousands of faithful in the popemobile in a country where 28% of the population is Catholic. During the largest event of his visit to Africa, the pontiff used the parable of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes to address the problem of hunger on the continent, despite its abundant resources. "The multiplication of the loaves and fishes occurs through sharing; that is the miracle! There is enough bread for everyone if it is given to everyone. There is enough bread for everyone if it is taken, not with a hand that hoards, but with a hand that gives," the Pope said in the square next to the Japoma stadium, in the most populous city in Cameroon. He added that, in this way, "food will be plentiful; it will not be rationed due to emergencies, it will not be stolen through conflict, nor will it be wasted by those who overeat while others have nothing to eat." In Cameroon, approximately 26.7% of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. Although the country has resources such as oil and minerals, poverty particularly affects rural areas and the north, affecting approximately 8.1 million people, according to the International Development Fund.

The leaders of France and the United Kingdom have convened a meeting in Paris this Friday, bringing together dozens of countries with the aim of promoting plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil trade that remains blocked due to the conflict between the United States and the Iranian regime. According to the office of French President Emmanuel Macron, approximately 30 nations will be represented in the discussions, including countries from the Middle East and Asia. The complete list of attendees has not been released. German Foreign Minister Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are expected to attend in person, while other leaders will participate remotely. This initiative is partly a response to statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized allies for not getting involved in the conflict and asserted that reopening the strait is not the responsibility of the United States. Trump has called his partners "cowards," claimed that NATO "wasn't there when we needed it," and questioned the British military's capabilities, stating, "They don't even have a navy." The conference in the French capital is part of the efforts by nations not directly involved in the Middle Eastern conflict to mitigate the global economic impact caused by the closure of the waterway, which followed the outbreak of the war on February 28. Since then, Tehran has maintained a de facto blockade of the strait…

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated this Thursday that he must do what is right and that "he has nothing against the Pope," in the context of the ongoing crisis with the highest leader of the Catholic Church regarding Iran. "I may disagree with the Pope. I have the right to disagree," the president told the press, before reiterating: "The Pope can say whatever he wants, and I want him to say whatever he wants, but I can disagree." He then added: "I believe that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If it did, the entire world would be in danger. The Middle East would be devastated, and the entire world would be in danger." Meanwhile, on the same Thursday, Pope Leo XIV warned Christian faithful from Cameroon that there are those who "bend" the "name of God" to their own military, economic, and political interests, and denounced that these people drag what is "holy" into the "most dirty and dark" realm. The exchange of statements occurs within the context of the escalation initiated by the American president, who described the Pope as "weak on crime and terrible in foreign policy," insisting that someone should tell him that "Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent protesters," a figure that has not been confirmed by any authority or humanitarian organization. In addition, Trump recently shared two images generated with Inte... on his social media accounts.

Statements by Pope Leo XIV, tweets by Donald Trump, images created with Artificial Intelligence: for the first time, there is a significant clash of opinions between the leader of the Catholic Church and the occupant of the White House, amidst the war that the United States and Israel began against Iran at the end of February. Just this Thursday, the pontiff criticized "leaders who spend billions on wars" and stated that the world is "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants," in unusually strong remarks from Cameroon. The Pope pointed to those he believes have manipulated "the very name of God" for their own benefit. Pope Leo XIV made these statements during a visit to a region devastated by an insurgency in the African country. These statements come just a few days after a highly publicized dispute with Donald Trump, who published a lengthy attack against the Pope, a declared critic of the US-Israeli military operation in Iran. Pope Leo XIV had expressed his concern about the US president's threat that "an entire civilization will die" if Iran did not comply with Washington's demands to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. At the beginning of his tour of Africa, the Pope told the press that he did not want to engage in a debate with Trump, but that he would continue to promote peace. However, in Cameroon, he criticized leaders who "turn a blind eye to the..."

Pope XIV on Thursday criticized those who use religion and God for their military, economic, and political interests, and stated that "the world is being destroyed by a few tyrants," during a peace gathering in Bamenda (Northwest Cameroon), a region embroiled in civil war for the past decade. "Woe to those who twist religions and even the name of God to serve their own military, economic, and political interests, dragging what is sacred into the most sordid and dark depths!" lamented the pontiff during the gathering held at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Bamenda. Pope XIV arrived in Cameroon on Wednesday and, after official visits to the capital, wanted to visit this region in the north of the country, which has been devastated by the conflict that began in 2016 between Anglophone separatists who feel marginalized by the government. The conflict has resulted in nearly 6,500 deaths and over 500,000 displaced people. According to the UN, 1.8 million of the 4 million inhabitants of the Anglophone regions need humanitarian assistance, while approximately 250,000 children are affected by the closure of schools due to the conflict. The American pontiff praised the fact that Muslims and Christians have created a peace movement in Bamenda and exclaimed: "How many places on earth would I wish to see the same thing happen! Blessed are those who work for peace!" He expressed his gratitude to all those people, in particular women, laypeople, and religious figures, who are involved in…

Amidst the ongoing dispute with Donald Trump regarding the United States' conflict with Iran, Pope Leo XIV used a speech in Cameroon to condemn leaders who use religion to justify wars. "Woe to those who twist religions and even the name of God to serve their own military, economic, and political interests, dragging what is sacred into the most vile and dark realms!" said the pontiff, who is currently on a tour of four African countries. "Woe to those who twist religions and even the name of God to serve their own military, economic, and political interests, dragging what is sacred into the most vile and dark realms!" #ApostolicJourney #Cameroon https://t.co/mmbNWneTbc — Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex_es) April 16, 2026 The "masters of war" pretend to ignore the fact that "it takes only a moment to destroy, but often a whole lifetime is not enough to rebuild," he noted. The Pope criticized leaders who spend billions on wars: "They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killings and devastation, while the resources needed for healing, education, and reconstruction are sorely lacking." Those who extract resources from African lands, in turn, use the money to buy weapons, "perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilization and death," he continued. Pope Leo XIV stated that "this is a world turned upside down, a distor…

Before Donald Trump and his highly publicized clash with Pope Leo XIV, there were Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire and Pope Gregory VII. In the medieval year 1077, both men were involved in a dramatic power struggle as part of what is known as the Investiture Controversy. What was this? In simple terms, it was a political conflict in which both the Papacy and the secular authority – the Holy Roman Empire – claimed the power to appoint bishops. "Pope Gregory VII sought to reform the Church, and one of the most important issues was determining who had the authority to appoint bishops and other clergy," explains Spanish historian Mikel Herrán in the podcast "El Intermedio." The Papacy, of course, opposed the Emperor exercising such power. "In exchange for their support, the king would grant various privileges to bishops and clergy. This, for the Pope, was simony, that is, the buying of spiritual favors in exchange for material benefits." The breaking point came when Emperor Henry IV appointed one of his chaplains as Archbishop of Milan. Pope Gregory VII, of course, did not accept this and threatened to excommunicate the monarch. "The Pope believed that the Emperor had arrogated powers that belonged to him, so he urged him to abandon his attitude and to repent," state José Ángel García de Cortázar and José Ángel Sesma Muñoz in their "Manual de Historia…"

ROME – The American Jesuit priest, James Martin, one of the editors of the prestigious America Magazine, author of several religious bestsellers, and a long-time advocate against discrimination of the LGBTQ community, has openly expressed his horror at the attacks Donald Trump has launched against Pope Leo XIV. Martin, who was received in audience by the Pope last September, someone he already knew because he used to sit at his table during the second session of the synod on synodality, when he was prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, questioned not only Trump's "idolatrous" attitude in an interview with LA NACION, but also that of his vice president, JD Vance. "It's incredible that the vice president doesn't seem to understand that war and peace are moral issues," he stated, emphasizing that Trump's actions have already politically damaged him, especially with the dissemination of images of him dressed as Jesus, which offended millions of Catholics. This influential voice in the United States, the Jesuit priest, emphasized that expert Catholics, both progressive and conservative, were quick to assert that the military offensive launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28 cannot be included in a "just war." - This Wednesday, Trump once again attacked Pope Leo XIV, saying that someone should inform him that Iran killed 42,000 innocent people and pub...

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to arrive in Cameroon this Wednesday, bringing a message of peace to a region affected by conflict for nearly a decade, as part of the second leg of his African tour. The pontiff is expected to meet with President Paul Biya on the first of his four days in the country, before traveling to the conflict zone, where Anglophone separatists are clashing with the military. The planned meeting with Biya, 93 years old and in power since 1982, has caused division among Cameroonian Catholics. Members of the clergy have expressed concern that the meeting could contribute to improving Biya's image, just six months after protests against his controversial re-election, which were violently suppressed. On Thursday, Leo XIV will visit Bamenda, the epicenter of the separatist insurgency, where he will lead a prayer for peace in front of more than 20,000 faithful. The crisis in the Anglophone region dates back to the 1970s, when French-speaking and English-speaking areas were unified, which generated fears among the Anglophone minority about the loss of their legal and cultural practices. The repression of protests in 2016 triggered an uprising that, by 2024, had resulted in more than 6,000 deaths, according to human rights organizations. The main address and a mass in Bamenda, the epicenter of the violence, will be the central events, held under strict security measures. The Catholic Church has played a mediating role in the crisis…

Pope Leo XIV traveled to the Algerian city of Annaba on Tuesday, following in the footsteps of the Christian theologian Saint Augustine, on the second day of a historic visit overshadowed by a dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump. On Monday, the American pontiff became the first pope to visit Algeria, the inaugural stop on a tour of four African countries, although the first day was almost entirely overshadowed by harsh criticism from Trump. The Pope's recent calls for peace in the Middle East, where the war between the United States and Israel against Iran has engulfed much of the region, have angered Trump. Before Leo XIV's trip, the U.S. President accused him of "playing with a country (Iran) that wants a nuclear weapon" and said that he was "not a big fan" of the pontiff. On Monday, Trump doubled down on his criticism after a protest, saying that "he had nothing to apologize for" and that the Pope was "wrong." On board the papal plane en route to Algiers, Leo told journalists: "The Gospel says... Blessed are the peacemakers." "I am not afraid, neither of the Trump administration, nor of speaking out about the message of the Gospel." During the night, U.S. Vice President JD Vance urged the Vatican to "stick to matters of morality" amidst the growing dispute, and to "let the President of the United States focus on dictating U.S. public policy..."

Pope Leo XIV embarks on an 11-day tour of Africa this Monday, with his first stop in Algeria. This marks his first major international trip since his election and the first visit by a pontiff to the Muslim country. The leader of the Catholic Church departs from Rome for Algeria with the aim of strengthening interreligious dialogue, against a backdrop of international tensions marked by the war in the Middle East. The Archbishop of Algiers, Jean-Paul Vesco, explained that the trip seeks to "build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds." The Pope's agenda includes meetings with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, as well as a speech to authorities and diplomats. Before these meetings, Pope Leo XIV will pay tribute to the victims of the Algerian War of Independence against France (1954-1962) at the Monument to the Martyrs, which overlooks the capital. In Algiers, preparations reflect the significance of the event. Authorities have renovated public spaces, repainted buildings, and improved streets, while squares and avenues are adorned with plants and flowers as a sign of welcome. The Pope's visit takes place against a backdrop of international tensions, following the failure of negotiations between the United States and Iran and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. On Saturday, from the Basilica of St. Peter, Pope Leo XIV issued a strong call against armed conflicts, stating: "Enough of war!" in a speech...

ROME – On the eve of his departure this Monday for his third international trip of his pontificate – a ten-day tour of four African countries – Pope Leo reiterated his strong call for peace. As he appeared from his office in the Apostolic Palace for the traditional Sunday midday Roman prayer of Regina Caeli, the Pontiff specifically mentioned Lebanon. "I am very close to the beloved Lebanese people during these days of pain, fear, and unwavering hope in God. The principle of humanity, inscribed in the conscience of every person and recognized in international law, entails the moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the atrocious effects of war," he emphasized. "I urge the parties in conflict to cease fire and urgently seek a peaceful solution," he implored, addressing thousands of faithful from around the world who filled St. Peter's Square. Lebanon, dragged into a new war with Israel at the beginning of March by the pro-Iranian Hezbollah group, has already seen over 2,000 deaths, including many civilians. At least 350 victims were the result of terrible bombings last Wednesday, the very day a ceasefire was supposed to begin there. The Pope also asked the crowd to pray for his ten-day pilgrimage (from April 13th to 23rd) to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, his third international trip after Turkey and Lebanon, at the end of last year and to…

Pope Leo XIV embarks on his third international trip this Monday, lasting until April 23rd, and his first major journey, which will take him to Algeria, following in the footsteps of Saint Augustine, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, highlighting the importance of the African continent, a source of hope for the Catholic Church. The 70-year-old American Pope, known for his athleticism, has chosen a demanding itinerary, involving 28 flights covering nearly 19,000 kilometers, visits to 11 cities, the delivery of over 25 speeches, and communication in four languages. Pope Leo XIV has chosen Algeria, a country never before visited by a Pope, and linked to the figure of Saint Augustine, the inspiration for the order to which he belongs, as well as three other countries that have not received a visit from a pontiff in 30 years. John Paul II was in Cameroon in 1985, as part of a long pilgrimage to the continent, and later Benedict XVI in 2009. John Paul II visited Angola in 1992 and Equatorial Guinea in 1982 during his second apostolic journey to Africa. The journey will begin on April 13th in Algeria, where he will visit the capital, Algiers, and the city of Annaba, the ancient Hippona, where Saint Augustine died, the inspiration for the order to which Pope Leo XIV belongs. He has indicated that he hopes to continue "the dialogue and bridge-building between Christians and Muslims" that he began during his first trip to Turkey and Lebanon. In Algeria, where Catholics number around 90,000 – just 0.02% of the population…

The Prophet José María Zavala Ediciones B Since José Saramago, and through authors like Norman Mailer, J. J. Benítez, and Nikos Kazantzakis, the figure of Jesus of Nazareth has been extensively explored in literature. In this novel, the bestselling Spanish author José María Zavala departs from a strictly doctrinal approach to construct a narrative that blends historical accuracy, dramatic storytelling, and spiritual reflection. It is a historical novel in its most classic form. The story unfolds through the eyes of Lucio Fedro Celer, a Roman centurion whose life is marked by violence, loss, and military discipline. This narrative device is crucial: by choosing a character who is not part of the Jewish world or Jesus's immediate circle, the author achieves an effective contrast between the harshness of the Roman Empire and the revolutionary message of the Nazarene. Critics have praised this approach. Various publications emphasize that Zavala attempts to "decipher the human Jesus," a man capable of challenging even those who do not have an active relationship with faith. In this vein, the novel not only reconstructs a historical context—with details about the structures of Roman power, the political intrigues under Tiberius, or daily life in the 1st century—but also offers an introspective, almost existential reading experience. However, this ambition also carries certain risks. Some critics suggest that the tone may fluctuate between the novelistic and the…

ROME. On his first Good Friday, Pope Leo XIV made a notable gesture by personally carrying the cross during the fourteen stations of the traditional Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) in the Colosseum, a commemoration where the realities of a world in turmoil were very much present. "Grant us tears, Lord, to weep for the disasters of war; to weep for the massacres and genocides; to weep with the mothers and wives, for the cynicism of the powerful, for our indifference," was the prayer during the eighth station, which evokes the moment when Jesus encounters the women of Jerusalem during his journey to Calvary. On his first Good Friday, the Pope spoke by telephone with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, to whom he emphasized the need to reopen diplomatic dialogue for "a just and lasting peace throughout the Middle East," and underscored the importance of protecting civilians and promoting respect for international and humanitarian law. According to the Vatican, the Pope also spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, reaffirming his closeness in the midst of an escalation of Russian attacks during the Easter period. Clearly concerned about the new global disorder, in addition to carrying the cross throughout the Via Crucis, a symbolic gesture to take responsibility for a suffering world, the Pope entrusted the meditations for this occasion to Father Francesco Patton, former Custodian of the Holy Land, who lived in Jerusalem.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the liturgy of this Holy Friday in St. Peter's Basilica and later presided over the Way of the Cross in the city of Rome, around the Colosseum, carrying a wooden cross. This is the first time since 1995 that the Pope has carried the cross through the fourteen stations, representing "the Passion of Christ" on the day he was condemned. The last time this was done was by John Paul II, after his hip surgery, when he carried the cross only in some parts of the route. Benedict XVI, for his part, only carried the cross in the first station, inside the Colosseum. A few days ago, Pope Leo mentioned that resuming this tradition "will be an important sign of what the Pope represents: a spiritual leader in the world today, a voice that says that Christ still suffers. And I also carry all these sufferings in my prayers." It is estimated that nearly 30,000 faithful attended the event in the Italian capital, which concluded after 10:00 PM local time on the Palatine Hill. Conversations between the Pope and leaders regarding armed conflicts This Friday morning, Pope Leo XIV also spoke by telephone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who expressed his condemnation of the Russian attacks and invited the Pope to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. The Pope, for his part, expressed his concern about the humanitarian situation of the people affected by the conflict. At the end of the conversation from the Vatican...

ROME. On the first Maundy Thursday of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV washed and kissed the feet of twelve priests, a ritual that evokes the gesture of Jesus with the Apostles during the Last Supper, a practice that his predecessor, Francis, often performed with prisoners or the sick in prisons and sanatoriums. Marking a return to tradition and a faithful reflection of his own style, Leo XIV decided to celebrate this rite of the Triduum (the three days leading up to Easter) in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the diocese of Rome. There, accompanied by cardinals and bishops, during the Mass of the Lord's Supper, which evokes the Last Supper of Jesus, and wearing a white linen apron over his papal robes, Leo XIV poured water, washed, and kissed the feet of twelve priests, greeting each of them with a glance. His predecessor, Francis – elected on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Benedict XVI – had surprised the world during his first Holy Week by celebrating this rite in a juvenile detention center, Casal del Marmo, on the outskirts of Rome. He often performed the same ritual when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. That first time as Pope, he scandalized more conservative sectors by washing the feet of two Muslims and two women; the traditionalist website "Rorate Coeli" was quick to remind him that only "selected men" should be admitted to the foot washing ceremony. Last year, already very ill and after having spent more than five weeks hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital, in his last…

Pope Leo XIV began the rituals of his first Holy Week as pontiff by celebrating the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday in St. Peter's Basilica, a ceremony in which he called for the Christian mission to move away from "arrogance" and "logic of domination." "It is essential to remember that neither in the pastoral sphere, nor in the social and political sphere, can good come from arrogance," the Pope said during his homily, addressing thousands of faithful and the Roman clergy. He added: "Great missionaries are witnesses to careful approaches, whose method consists of sharing life, selfless service, renouncing any calculated strategy, dialogue, and respect." The Mass on this Holy Thursday, celebrated in all cathedrals around the world and marking the beginning of the Paschal Triduum (the central period of Holy Week), commemorates the institution of the sacrament of Holy Orders by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper and is dedicated to the renewal by priests of their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. During his lengthy homily, the pontiff lamented that, throughout history, the evangelizing mission has "on many occasions, been distorted by logics of domination completely foreign to the path of Jesus Christ." He also emphasized that the work of the Church begins with "reconciliation with our origins" and "making peace with the past without becoming prisoners of it."

Since the contested presidential elections in 2019, the US had run diplomatic operations for Venezuela out of neighbouring Colombia.

On Monday, Pope Leo XIV appointed the Venezuelan Archbishop Edgar Robinson Peña Parra as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and San Marino, marking one of the first significant reorganizations within the Roman Curia under his pontificate. Peña Parra, until today the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State (considered the "chief of staff" to the Pope and one of the most influential positions in the Vatican, second only to the Secretary of State, currently Pietro Parolin), is leaving the post he held since October 2018, when he was called by Pope Francis from his previous assignment as Nuncio to Mozambique. The new Substitute will be Italian Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, 55 years old, who previously served as Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia. In this way, Rudelli becomes the new "number 3" within the Holy See, a position previously held by Peña Parra. With this appointment, Peña Parra—born in Maracaibo on March 6, 1960—becomes the first Venezuelan to hold the position of Nuncio to Italy, one of the most delicate and prestigious diplomatic posts within the Vatican's diplomatic service. The Nunciature in Italy is located at Villa Giorgina, on Via Po in Rome, and represents the Holy See before the Italian government and the Republic of San Marino. A seasoned diplomat Peña Parra holds a degree in Canon Law and has extensive experience in the diplomatic service of the Holy See. He has served…

Cardinal Zuppi expressed his solidarity with his colleague and his "disgust" at an event that is deeply painful for so many Christians in those lands.

Two separate investigations have been opened by the juvenile justice authorities. Zuppi stated: "I was deeply affected by the teacher's words."