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Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) (AFP) – Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer is lit up with the image of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, celebrating his historic election with the words “habemus papam,” echoing the announcement made on the Vatican balcony as the new pope was introduced. Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen as the 267th pope, becoming the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. He succeeds Argentina’s Pope Francis, following a secret conclave held by cardinals in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

Chiclayo (Peru) (AFP) – Newspaper front pages in Chiclayo, in northern Peru, show headlines claiming the new Pope as one of their own, from “The Pope is Peruvian and he misses ceviche” to “From Chiclayo to the Vatican.” Leo XIV first set foot in Peru some four decades ago as a missionary, before becoming bishop of the diocese of Chiclayo in the northwest of the country and gaining citizenship in 2015. IMAGES

Vatican City (AFP) – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born missionary with deep ties to Latin America, has been elected Pope Leo XIV—making history as the first American to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost becoming Pope Leo XIV

Vatican City (AFP) – New Pope Leo XIV uses his first homily to warn against reducing Jesus to “a kind of charismatic leader or superman”, in an apparent message to evangelical Christians. Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost on Thursday became the 267th pope, spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and successor to Argentina’s Pope Francis, after a secret conclave by his fellow cardinals in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

Chiclayo (Peru) (AFP) – Residents of Chiclayo, Peru, celebrate outside the cathedral where Pope Leo XIV delivered homilies and interacted with parishioners when he was a bishop. The 69-year-old Chicago native first set foot in Peru some four decades ago as a missionary, before becoming bishop of the diocese of Chiclayo in the northwest of the country and gaining citizenship in 2015.

Hokitika (New Zealand) (AFP) – Footage captured by a New Zealand ranger shows a rare Mount Augustus snail laying an egg via its neck, the first time the reproduction has been captured on video according to the New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.

Washington (AFP) – US President Donald Trump says a trade deal with Britain would “dramatically” increase exports of beef and other products to the UK, with American farmers standing to benefit. “The deal includes billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports, especially in agriculture,” Trump tells reporters after announcing the deal.

Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calls for allies to unite to fight Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as Europe celebrates 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – “Not for three days, not for 30 days. They are not the kind of people you can trust,” says one Kyiv resident, sceptical of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order for a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine to coincide with Moscow’s World War II Victory Day commemorations. Kyiv reported limited strikes on its northeastern region of Sumy, but no missile or drone attacks, on the first morning the truce was supposed to take effect. Ukraine never agreed to the proposal, dismissing it as theatrics and calling instead for a 30-day ceasefire.

Berlin (AFP) – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticises “the Kremlin’s historical lies” over the Ukraine war, as he marks the Nazi defeat that ended World War II in Europe 80 years ago. “The war against Ukraine is not a continuation of the fight against fascism,” Steinmeier adds in his speech to parliament.

Sheffield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – “I was of, course, very proud. A Chinese person winning the world championship in this sport — as an amateur enthusiast, it was such a wonderful feeling,” says Zhu Guangqi as he plays snooker in a billiard club in Beijing. Zhao Xintong’s stunning World Snooker Championship triumph went viral back home. The 28-year-old Zhao became the first Asian to win the prestigious title with an 18-12 victory over Mark Williams in the final at the Crucible in Sheffield on Monday.

Curacavi (Chile) (AFP) – Rescue workers in Chile search a central mountainous area on foot and using drones to locate an air ambulance that crashed with six people aboard. The aircraft, which was transporting a patient, lost contact with authorities near Cerro El Roble mountain in the Curacavi area, just outside Santiago. IMAGES