How could Pope Leo XIV reshape the Catholic Church?
Recently elected Pope Leo XIV is the first pontiff from the United States, just as the country's president is shaking up the global order. With both the US and the Catholic Church deeply divided, what does Pope Leo's selection mean for Catholics in the US and worldwide?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Jazeera
24 minutes ago
- Al Jazeera
How US politicians responded to Israel's attacks on Iran
Washington, DC – Less than three hours before Israel launched its first wave of strikes against Iran, United States President Donald Trump reiterated that the United States was committed to further diplomacy with Tehran. The Israeli attacks early on Friday have put those negotiations in jeopardy and raised the risk of an all-out conflict in the Middle East that may involve the US. Israel's strikes came as polar opposites on the right and left ideological spectrum of US politics have urged Trump to resist being dragged by Israel into a war with Iran. But support for Israel in the US political establishment remains formidable despite the cracks that have been showing in recent years, both in public opinion and among politicians. So as the bombs fell on Tehran and other Iranian cities, many American politicians rushed to send 'prayers' for Israel, while others expressed concern – if not outright rejection – over the escalation. Here's how US politicians responded to the events. The Trump administration was quick to distance itself from Israel's attacks, while also warning Iran not to retaliate against US interests in the region. 'Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,' Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. 'Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,' Rubio said. Trump later reiterated Rubio's message, telling Fox News that the US is 'hoping to get back to the negotiating table' with Iran. But it is highly unlikely that diplomacy between Washington and Tehran will continue – at least in the near future. Early reports from Iran indicate that Tehran will not attend the sixth round of nuclear negotiations with the US that are scheduled to take place in Oman on Sunday. Numerous members of Trump's Republican Party in Congress were quick to voice support for Israel, with many calling for prayers for the US allies, although it was Israel that initiated the attack on Iran. At least three lawmakers – Katie Britt, Rick Scott and Gary Palmer – used the exact words 'Please join me in praying for Israel' in their statements. House Speaker Mike Johnson also showed unflinching support for Israel. 'Israel IS right – and has a right – to defend itself!' Johnson wrote in a social media post featuring the Israeli flag. Senate Majority Leader John Thune's defence of Israel was slightly less effusive, as he focused his statement on US interests. 'The United States Senate stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region and, first and foremost, to defend the American people from Iranian aggression, especially our troops and civilians serving overseas,' Thune wrote in a social media post. 'Iran should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region.'Hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham – a Trump ally – was among the first lawmakers to comment on the strikes. 'Game on. Pray for Israel,' he wrote in a social media post. Despite assertions by some critics that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the bombing of Iran to sabotage Trump's diplomacy with Tehran, most of the US president's political party has come out in favour of the strikes. Several Democrats criticised the strikes outright, stressing that war with Iran would not serve US interests. Senator Chris Murphy said the Israeli strikes are 'clearly intended to scuttle' the Trump administration's diplomacy with Iran. 'This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahu's own making, and now the region risks spiralling toward a new, deadly conflict,' Murphy said in a statement. 'A war between Israel and Iran may be good for Netanyahu's domestic politics, but it will likely be disastrous for both the security of Israel, the United States, and the rest of the region.' He added that the US has 'no obligation' to follow Israel into a war with Iran. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, also called on Trump to push for de-escalation. 'Israel's alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence,' Reed said in a statement. 'I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control.' Congressman Joaquin Castro noted that US officials were set to hold talks with Iran on Sunday. 'This attack by Netanyahu is pure sabotage,' Castro said in a social media post. 'What does 'America First' even mean if Trump allows Netanyahu to drag the country into a war Americans don't want?' The Israeli strikes have also highlighted the split within the Democratic Party on Israel, as some lawmakers voiced unreserved backing for the US ally despite criticism by their colleagues. Congressman Ritchie Torress claimed that Israel – which has its own undeclared nuclear arsenal and is accused by UN experts and major rights groups of carrying out a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza – is 'defending itself'. Senator John Fetterman rejoiced in the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Hossein Salami. He wrote, 'thank u, next' in response to the US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard said earlier this year that Washington 'continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon', several lawmakers portrayed the Israeli attacks as an effort to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. 'America and the World will never be safe with a nuclear-capable Iran which would bring an existential threat to Israel and constant instability to the region,' Congressman George Latimer said. 'I support Israel's right to defend itself,' he added.
Al Jazeera
11 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Marines prepare for deployment in Los Angeles as protests spread across US
The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, promises that forces will continue their immigration crackdown in an effort to 'liberate' Los Angeles, pushing back at criticism that sending the US military into the city was unwarranted and illegal. 'We have more assets now, today, than we did yesterday. We had more yesterday than we did the day before, so we are only building momentum,' Noem said during a news conference in the city. 'This is only going to continue and be increased until we have peace on the streets of Los Angeles.' As Noem was speaking, a US Democratic senator from California, Alex Padilla, was forcefully ejected from the room while trying to make himself heard – a removal that was swiftly condemned by other Democrats. Padilla's office said that once outside the room, the senator was pushed to the ground and handcuffed. He was later released. President Donald Trump's decision to dispatch troops to Los Angeles over the objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom has sparked a national debate about the use of the military in law enforcement operations on US soil. Some 700 US Marines will be on the streets of the city by Thursday or Friday, the military has said, to support up to 4,000 National Guard troops in protecting federal property and federal agents, including on immigration raids. Noem defended the use of National Guard troops and Marines alongside ICE agents and other federal personnel, saying Trump 'has the right to utilise every authority that he has.' The state of California is seeking a federal court order later today that would stop troops from 'patrolling the streets of Los Angeles' and limit their role to protecting federal personnel and property. California's lawsuit ultimately seeks to rescind Trump's order to deploy the National Guard to the area. In a court filing on Thursday, California argued that the federal government has already violated the law by having National Guard troops assist ICE agents in immigration raids. Noem said federal officers have arrested more than 1,500 people and that the department has 'tens of thousands of targets' in the region. She said the Internal Revenue Service was investigating whether there are financial links between the protests and political advocacy groups, something of which there has been little evidence. On Saturday, Americans likely will see split-screen images of US troops on the streets of two major cities: Los Angeles, where troops are guarding federal buildings, and Washington where soldiers, accompanied by tanks and other armored vehicles, will rumble down Constitution Avenue in a rare public display of military might to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday. Nearly 2,000 protests against the parade, which is taking place on Trump's 79th birthday, are planned around the country in one of the biggest demonstrations against Trump since he returned to power in January. Mostly peaceful street protests so far this week have taken place in multiple cities besides Los Angeles, including New York, Chicago, Washington, DC and San Antonio, Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Thursday he has ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops, along with more than 2,000 state police, to help local law enforcement manage protests against Trump and the continuing federal immigration raids. Abbott's announcement did not detail where the troops were sent, but some were seen at a protest Wednesday night in downtown San Antonio near the Alamo. That protest drew hundreds of demonstrators but did not erupt into violence. 'Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trump's enforcement of immigration law,' Abbott said. 'Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be arrested and held accountable to the full extent of the law.' Mayors in San Antonio and Austin have said they did not ask for Abbott to mobilise the National Guard to their cities. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe on Thursday also activated the state's National Guard 'in response to civil unrest'. 'We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state,' Kehoe said in a statement on the governor's website. 'While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities.' The Los Angeles protests began last Friday in response to a series of immigration raids in the city. Trump, in turn, called in the National Guard on Saturday, then ordered the deployment of Marines on Monday. 'Los Angeles was safe and sound for the last two nights. Our great National Guard, with a little help from the Marines, put the LA Police in a position to effectively do their job,' Trump posted on social media on Thursday. State and city officials say Trump is exaggerating what is happening in the city and that local police have the situation under control. The protests have been largely orderly but occasionally punctuated by violence, mostly contained to a few blocks. Police said demonstrators at one location threw commercial-grade fireworks and rocks at officers on Wednesday night. Another group of nearly 1,000 demonstrators was peacefully marching through downtown when police suddenly opened fire with less lethal munitions in front of City Hall. Trump is carrying out a campaign promise to deport immigrants, employing forceful tactics consistent with the norm-breaking political style that got him elected twice. The administration has circulated images showing National Guard troops protecting immigration agents who were arresting suspected undocumented migrants – a permissible function for the troops under federal law. But the state argues those Guard troops have crossed the line into illegal activity under the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the military from participating in civilian law enforcement. 'For example, photos posted on social media by ICE depict heavily armed members of the National Guard standing alongside ICE agents during arrests,' California said in its latest court filing. Unless a judge intervenes, the military's role likely will grow to include 'detention, interrogation, and other activities that are practically indistinguishable from urban policing operations', the filing asserts. The Trump administration said in a Wednesday court filing that the judge should not restrict the military's activities in Los Angeles. 'Neither the National Guard nor the Marines are engaged in law enforcement. Rather, they are protecting law enforcement, consistent with longstanding practice and the inherent protective power to provide for the safety of federal property and personnel,' the administration wrote. US Army Major General Scott Sherman, who commands the task force of Marines and Guardsmen, told reporters the Marines will not load their rifles with live ammunition, but they will carry live rounds.
Al Jazeera
11 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
California senator handcuffed during Trump administration news conference
Democratic lawmakers have expressed outrage after United States Senator Alex Padilla of California was roughly removed from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) news conference, then forced to the ground and handcuffed. A video of the incident shows Padilla appearing to interrupt a Thursday news conference in Los Angeles held by DHS chief Kristi Noem. 'I am Senator Alex Padilla,' he said, stepping forward as Noem spoke. 'I have a question for the secretary.' But he never got a chance to ask the question. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had already surrounded Padilla and were pushing him out of the conference room. A mobile phone video shot by a member of Padilla's staff showed the senator yelling, 'Hands off,' as he was escorted into an adjacent hallway. Agents ultimately forced him to the ground, as Padilla protested he could not keep his hands behind his back as requested and lay his body flat at the same time. One FBI agent then stood in front of the camera and ordered the staffer to stop recording. The senator's office has said Padilla is currently not detained. In a statement, it explained that Padilla had hoped to question Noem and General Gregory Guillot about the US military deployment against protesters in Los Angeles. 'Senator Padilla is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal government's operations in Los Angeles and across California,' his office said in a statement. 'He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem's press conference. He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents.' What just happened to @SenAlexPadilla is absolutely abhorrent and outrageous. He is a sitting United States Senator. This administration's violent attacks on our city must — Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 12, 2025Padilla himself held a news conference afterwards, where he drew a parallel between his rough treatment and the immigration raids happening under the administration of President Donald Trump. 'If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, I can only imagine what they're doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day labourers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country,' Padilla told reporters. The recent protests in Los Angeles came in response to the Trump administration's aggressive deportation campaign, which has targeted undocumented workers at places such as the Home Depot hardware store chain. Trump has since responded to those protests by deploying nearly 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 US Marines to southern California, in what critics have called an illegal use of military power against civilians. On Thursday, Padilla's Democratic colleagues in the Senate rushed to voice their support after the incident. 'I just saw something that sickened my stomach — the manhandling of a United States senator,' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. 'We need immediate answers to what the hell went on.' Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida later shot a video showing Democrats walking to Senate Majority Leader John Thune's office to call for action. 'There must be accountability for the detainment of a Senator. This is not normal,' Frost wrote. On social media, however, DHS accused Padilla of engaging in 'disrespectful political theatre'. It argued that the senator had not identified himself as he 'lunged' towards Noem, something that appears to be contradicted by video of the incident. DHS said Noem met Padilla after the news conference for 15 minutes. California officials have accused Trump of provoking tensions in the state by sending the military to crack down on the protests, some of which turned violent but have already started to ease. The last time a president deployed the National Guard in a state over the objections of a governor was in 1965, to protect civil rights protesters from violence in segregated Alabama. Governor Gavin Newsom has since sued the Trump administration to block the use of US military might outside of federal sites, calling it a step towards 'authoritarianism'. Earlier this week, Padilla said that Trump's immigration raids were 'terrorising communities, breaking apart families and putting American citizens in harm's way'. Trump has suggested that he could have California Governor Gavin Newsom arrested and mused that he could declare martial law if the protests continue. He also described the protesters as 'animals' and 'a foreign enemy', framing them as part of a wider 'invasion' that justifies emergency powers. 'If they can handcuff a US Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you,' Newsom said in a social media post that showed a picture of Padilla being held on the ground by three agents.
