
First mass celebrated by new Pope Leo XIV begins
US-born Robert Francis Prevost will deliver his much-anticipated first homily as pontiff.
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Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Pope Leo to Visit Lebanon, Rahi Says, in Likely First Trip Abroad
Pope Leo plans to visit Lebanon, the country's Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi announced on Wednesday, in what could be the first visit outside Italy by the new leader of the global Church. The pope will travel to Lebanon "by December", Rahi told the al-Arabiya television channel. Rahi, leader of the 3.5-million-member Maronite Catholic Church, did not give a specific date for the visit but said "preparations are already underway". A Lebanese official familiar with the matter confirmed that discussions were being held about a visit towards the end of the year, though a date had not yet been finalized. Leo, the first US pope, was elected by the world's Catholic cardinals on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis, who had planned to visit Lebanon but was unable to go because of health issues. Lebanon is home to more than two million Catholics, according to Vatican statistics. A Vatican spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Rahi's remarks. A Vatican official, who asked not to be named, confirmed that a trip was being planned and said it could be part of a tour that would also include Türkiye. Travelling abroad has become a major part of the modern papacy, with popes seeking to meet local Catholics, spread the faith, and conduct international diplomacy. They often draw crowds in the millions. Francis made 47 visits abroad during his 12-year papacy, travelling to 68 countries. He made a policy of visiting countries that often did not draw international attention as a way of highlighting problems in what he called the "peripheries" of the world. Leo has been expected to visit Türkiye in late November as part of celebrations for the 1,700th anniversary of a major early Church council, which took place in Nicaea, now called Iznik. In a message to Lebanon earlier this month, Leo commemorated the fifth anniversary of a huge chemical explosion at the Beirut port that killed 200 people and caused billions of dollars worth of damage. "Beloved and suffering Lebanon remains at the center of our prayers," said the pope. Pope Francis' predecessor Benedict XVI visited Lebanon in 2012.


Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Takeaways from Trump's Meeting with Zelenskyy and Europeans: Praise, Security Talks, More Meetings
During their second meeting in the Oval Office this year, President Donald Trump said the US would be willing to support European efforts to police any peace deal in Ukraine, while its leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude and wore dressier clothes. And Vice President JD Vance kept his mouth shut. As Trump hosted Zelenskyy and top European leaders to energize months of stalled US-led efforts to halt Russia's 3 1/2-year-old war, the tone and style of the sit-down was far different than when Ukraine's president was hounded out of the White House in February. Following the talks, Trump called and spoke at length to Russian President Vladimir Putin who got the red carpet treatment at a summit with Trump last Friday in Alaska, to discuss the extraordinary gathering of allies. Trump said he would now work to arrange a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. Here are key takeaways: Trump says the US could back security guarantees for Ukraine A central question for peace talks is how to prevent further Russian aggression in the future. Trump has ruled out allowing Ukraine to join NATO, which would extend the military alliance's protection to the besieged country. He did, however, express support for security guarantees for Ukraine though details remain vague. European countries 'want to give protection and they feel very strongly about it and we'll help them out with that,' Trump said. That pleased Zelenskyy, who said the US was offering "such (a) strong signal.' With Europeans looking to set up a force that could backstop any peace agreement in Ukraine, Trump suggested that Putin would be open to accepting security guarantees. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Sunday that Moscow was open to accepting NATO-style protections for Ukraine. European leaders applauded that notion, and the larger meaning it would carry. 'When we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent," French President Emmanuel Macron said. Macron said talks to determine what the US is willing to provide will start as soon as Tuesday. European leaders praise Trump but say tough work is still ahead The Europeans came to show a united front on Ukraine, and many used public comments to heap praise on Trump. That was striking given tensions over Trump's threats to impose steep tariffs and other issues. Ahead of their meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called Trump 'dear Donald' and said of fighting in Ukraine: 'If we play this well, we could end it.' In an interview later with Fox News Channel, Rutte called Trump 'amazing' and said potential swaps of Ukrainian territory weren't discussed. 'First, we need full clarity on security guidelines,' Rutte said. Though Ukraine might not have NATO membership, he noted, there would be discussions for security guarantees similar to those extended to members of the alliance. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after the meeting that there was 'real progress' and a 'real sense of unity.' Before the leaders spoke privately at the White House, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said all the parties were working together on 'a just and lasting peace.' Offering a more measured tone was German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said 'the path is open now' to halting the fighting but next steps are 'more complicated.' 'Let's try to put pressure on Russia,' Merz said, adding that he would like to see a ceasefire come together. Trump was noncommittal, saying, 'If we can do the ceasefire, great,' but suggested it was far from a dealbreaker. He dropped his push for a ceasefire after Friday's summit, aligning with Putin's position that negotiations should focus on a long-term peace settlement instead. The good feelings extended to Zelenskyy and Trump. After Ukraine's leader praised the 'very good conversation' with Trump, the US president responded, 'Great remarks. I appreciated it.' Speaking to reporters Monday night, Merz said the Russian demand that Ukraine give up unconquered parts of its eastern Donbas region to end the fighting would be equivalent to the US giving up Florida. More formal attire — and a far different reception — for Zelenskyy The meeting with Trump in the Oval Office on Monday was dramatically different than six months ago, when Trump and Vance harangued Zelenskyy for not being thankful enough for US military support. Trump even seemed to relish a reporter from a conservative outlet asking then why Zelenskyy wasn't wearing a suit at the White House. Ukraine's leader came prepared this time, wearing a black shirt and blazer. The same reporter told Zelenskyy, 'You look fabulous,' and Trump responded, 'I said the same thing.' Then Trump said to Zelenskyy: 'That's the one that attacked you last time.' The Ukrainian president said he remembered, then playfully needled his questioner. 'You are in the same suit,' Zelenskyy said as laughter rippled through the room. 'I changed. You did not.' Ukraine's president usually appears in a trademark hoodie or T-shirt — a show of solidarity with Ukrainian forces on the front lines. Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude to the US and European allies for supporting his country, and repeatedly thanked first lady Melania Trump for sending a letter to Putin about stopping the killing of children during the war. In the Oval Office, Vance gave no public comments. Next steps in the negotiations turn back to Putin Trump, who bragged on numerous occasions during the campaign that he could settle Russia's war in Ukraine in a day, said repeatedly Monday that it was far more complicated than he ever thought it would be. But he also suggested — likely implausibly — that the fighting that has raged for years could wind down quickly. 'A week or two weeks, we'll know whether we're going to solve this, or if this horrible fighting is going to continue,' said Trump, even suggesting the issues yet to be hammered out weren't 'overly complex.' Still, much remains unresolved, including red lines that are incompatible, like whether Ukraine will cede any land to Russia, the future of Ukraine's army and whether the country will ultimately have lasting and meaningful security guarantees. Trump said he had begun arrangements for a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. But Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said only that Putin and Trump had a 40-minute phone call and 'spoke in favor' of continuing direct talks between the sides, Russian state news agency Tass reported. Outside the White House, Zelenskyy said no date had been set for such a meeting but that the US suggested it be as soon as possible. 'But for that, agreement of all sides is needed,' he said. He added that the question of territory 'is a matter that we will leave between me and Putin.' Though many European leaders oppose forgoing a possible ceasefire on the road to seeking lasting peace, they have supported a meeting by Trump, Zelenskyy and Putin in the meantime. Macron suggested that another summit could feature the three presidents and also top European leaders. 'The idea of trilateral meeting is very important, because this is the only way to fix it,' the French president said.


Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Former US embassy guard in Norway on trial for spying for Russia, Iran
OSLO: A Norwegian who worked as a security guard for the US embassy in Oslo went on trial Wednesday, accused of sharing information with Russian and Iranian intelligence, media reported. The man, who is in his late 20s, is accused of having supplied information on embassy activities between March 2024 and November 20, the date of his arrest, according to the charge sheet. In return, he was paid in euros and bitcoin. He is accused of having supplied either the Russians or the Iranians — or both — with the contact details of diplomats, embassy staff and their families. He is also accused of having supplied the diplomatic license-plate numbers of vehicles used by the embassy. The charge sheet also alleges he handed over floor plans of the embassy, security routines and a list of couriers Norway's intelligence service used. On the first day of his trial, prosecutors presented evidence in the form of an email to the Russian embassy where the man wrote that he had 'information that could be useful to you,' public broadcaster NRK reported. The trial is scheduled to take eight days. 'He acknowledges the facts of the case but denies criminal liability. He is sorry for what he has done, but he is not a spy,' Inger Zadig, the defendant's lawyer, told news agency NTB. If convicted of the charges, he could spend up to 21 years in jail, the prosecution service told AFP in July. Norway's intelligence service has regularly accused Russia, Iran and China as being the greatest threats to the country so far as spying is concerned. A member of NATO, Norway shares a land border with Russia in the Arctic.