Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Thursday.
An American was elected popeFrom the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Robert Prevost was introduced to the world today as Pope Leo XIV, the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first American to become pope. He was elected by a group of 133 cardinals, the largest-ever conclave. Just over 24 hours after they gathered in intense secrecy, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican’s bells rang out, notifying tens of thousands of onlookers that a new pope had been chosen to lead 1.4 billion Catholics. Dressed in the white and red vestments of his new office — which were waiting in various sizes as the cardinals cast their ballots — Leo used his first speech to talk of peace in the world and of “a united church, always seeking peace and justice.” Here are images from his first appearance. Who is Leo? He is a 69-year-old Chicago-born polyglot who served for two decades in Peru, where he became a naturalized citizen. He rose to lead his international religious order, and took on one of the most influential Vatican posts — the office that selects and manages bishops. Pope Francis named him a cardinal just two years ago, and his supporters pitched him as a “dignified middle of the road” between Francis’ inclusive approach and a more conservative doctrinal path. A social media account under his name highlighted articles criticizing the Trump administration’s positions on immigration. Here’s what else we know about him. We talked to William Lego, a Chicago pastor who knew the new pope when they were young seminarians. “They picked a good man,” Lego said. “He always had that sense of being conscious of the poor and trying to help them.” The most shocking part of today’s election was the pope’s country of origin. “The idea of an American pope was unimaginable for generations,” our Rome bureau chief, Jason Horowitz, said. Vatican experts had doubted that the cardinals would select a leader from a global superpower.
Trump announced a trade deal with BritainPresident Trump said today that Britain had agreed to increase market access for billions of dollars in American exports, including beef, ethanol and other farm products under a new trade deal. The U.S. will pare back tariffs on British steel, aluminum and automobiles. Trump promoted the agreement as the first of many. But many details still have to be worked out, leaving open the possibility the agreement could fall apart. In other news from Washington:
An under-the-radar shift is happening in the West BankOver the last four months, Israel’s efforts to tighten control in the West Bank have turned into the most expansive crackdown on militancy there in a generation. Roughly 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced. Some residents fear the operation may be laying the groundwork for the annexation of the territory. My colleagues recently reported from the West Bank city of Jenin, a once-populous area that has been cleared out by Israeli troops who say they are targeting militants.
Bill Gates is planning to wind down his foundationThe Gates Foundation, one of the world’s most consequential global-health philanthropies, celebrated its 25th anniversary today by announcing its plans to close up shop. Bill Gates said the foundation would accelerate the pace of its aid spending over the next 20 years — giving away at least $200 billion — before ending his initiative decades earlier than he originally planned. In a wide-ranging interview, Gates explained his decision. More top news
A Closer Look Trump has claimed that Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s tattoos prove his gang membership. Gang experts said otherwise.
The museum of the centuryTate Modern in London turns 25 this week. The institution made its greatest impact by re-envisioning itself as a theme park as well as a museum. It offered not just art to marvel at, but experiences to be felt, our critic Jason Farago writes. And it quickly became a hit. Its influence can be seen at major museums — and the selfie stations of the Museum of Ice Cream in Manhattan. But now, visitor numbers are 20 percent down since before the pandemic, and funding crises have led to multiple rounds of layoffs. Is there a pathway back?
We’re still learning from MarcellaNo one so thoroughly changed Italian food in the U.S. as much as Marcella Hazan, the revered cookbook author. She popularized balsamic vinegar, created what became Engagement Chicken and remains the leading authority on Italian cuisine 12 years after her death. Our food writer Pete Wells explained how Hazan’s overwhelming conviction that her way was the right way inspired the confidence of generations of home cooks. When Pete encounters cold pasta at a deli, he still hears her voice saying: “If I had invented pasta salads I would hide.”
Dinner table topics
Cook: Try this subtly sweet mochi cake. Watch: “Caught by the Tides” uses two decades of footage to capture dizzying changes in China. Read: “Talking at Night” is one of the best new romance novels. Listen: This is the classical music our critics are thinking about. Pack: Conan O’Brien travels the world with just a carry-on. He has tips for packing light. Work out: |
