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Pope Leo XIV arrives to lead Holy Mass at the Saurimo esplanade in Angola on Monday. Photo: EPA
Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo criticises exploitation by world’s ‘authoritarians’ during Angola trip

The US pope, who has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump, has repeatedly criticised world leaders, without naming individuals.

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Africa

In Angola, Pope Leo prays at shrine that was once a hub for slavery

Donald Trump

Pope Leo seeks to defuse tensions with Trump, says not trying to debate him

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Africa

Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people

Believers slept overnight on mats to hear the address from the pontiff, who has drawn Trump’s ire with his anti-war comments.

Pope Leo arrives in procession to celebrate mass at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar chats with US Muslim streamer – is it a populist move?

Anwar spoke with Sneako about issues ranging from Malaysia’s multi-religious society and Israel to the ‘very condescending’ American mindset.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid escalating feud with pope

US president doubles down on religious imagery as his administration clashes with Pope Leo over the Iran war.

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Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo stresses message of peace and unity despite another Trump attack

US-born pontiff urges respect for all people, says his travels have shown importance of pursuing dialogue between different communities.

Pope Leo speaks to members of the media on board a plane on Wednesday en route to Yaounde, Cameroon, amid his apostolic journey. Photo: Reuters
Fashion

Designer Filippo Sorcinelli on dressing the last three popes – interview

Also a perfumer and organist, Sorcinelli says his work for Popes Benedict, Francis and now Leo is ultimately inspired by his Catholic faith.

Donald Trump

Trump claims Jesus-like meme that caused outcry was him as a doctor

US president deletes AI image of himself as a Jesus-like figure amid a deepening feud with Pope Leo.

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Donald Trump

‘Someone must stand for a better way’: Pope speaks out after Trump’s attack

After the US president shatters norms with a direct hit on the pontiff, Leo says he will continue to speak out ‘loudly’ and promote peace.

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Pope Leo addresses journalists during a flight to Algiers on Monday. Photo: via Reuters
Africa

At least 200 feared dead after Nigerian air strike hits busy village market

Nigerian Air Force launches investigation into civilian casualties at Jilli Market as it targeted jihadists.

Nigerian Air Force officers display ammunition next to a fighter jet in 2017. Photo: AP
United States

Pentagon plays down rift with Vatican despite Pope Leo’s criticism

The first American pope’s criticism of US actions in conflict creates a rare public fracture between Washington and the Holy See.

Easter

Pope Leo calls for peace, dialogue amid Ukraine, Iran wars in Easter mass

Leo addressed some 50,000 in St. Peter’s Square and quoted his predecessor, who reminded the faithful of the ‘great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day’.

Italy

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

‘I carry all of this suffering in my prayer,’ the pontiff said before he set out for the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross.

Pope Leo holds a wooden cross as he leads the Via Crucis procession at the Coliseum in Rome on Good Friday. Photo: dpa
Italy

Italy arrests German-Indian ‘guru’ on child abuse allegations

The two children did not attend school and had to stand guard around the house where they lived at night.

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The man is said to have led a community of 15 people, including two children, who lived in a forest near Cefalu on Sicily’s northern coast. Photo: TNS
Hong Kong society

Leader of Hong Kong’s Catholics calls for giving young offenders ‘second chance’

In his Easter message, Cardinal Stephen Chow says prolonged investigations can cause mental stress, without directly referring to 2019 protests.

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Nepal

Untouchable no more: Nepal to apologise to Dalits for first time

Nepal has banned caste discrimination, yet many Dalits still live in poverty. Can a formal state apology inspire change?

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Africa

Mob retaliates after gunmen kill 12 in Nigeria bar

27 people in total were killed between the shooting and the retaliatory violence.

A person rides a bicycle in Jos, Plateau State in Nigeria. Jos has seen bouts of sectarian violence in the past, but deadly, mass casualty attacks in the crowded city have been rare in recent years. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Jerusalem police stop Catholic leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday mass

Police said the Church of the Holy Sepulchre had been notified that no mass could take place on Palm Sunday because of safety considerations.

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Pope Leo XIV

Pope slams widening ‘chasms between the poor and the rich’ on Monaco visit

Monaco is one of the few places in Europe where Catholicism remains the state religion.

Britain

Nurse to archbishop: Mullally enthroned as first woman to lead Church of England

The new Archbishop of Canterbury begins her ministry with a historic ceremony attended by British royals.

Sarah Mullally arrives for her installation ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

‘I’ve never held my son’: the Rohingya families Malaysia keeps apart

More than 5,000 Rohingya languish in detention in Malaysia, leaving fathers like Farouk to watch their children grow through a screen.

Farouk’s wife gave birth in a Malaysian immigration detention centre a day after the family was arrested. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Malaysia

Should wives always obey? Most in Malaysia and Indonesia say yes

A new study also shows 64 per cent of respondents in Singapore agree that efforts to give women equal rights with men ‘have gone far enough’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Netanyahu compares Jesus and Genghis Khan in Iran war speech, drawing backlash

Christians, in particular, were angered by the Israeli PM’s remarks, which some say suggest a ‘might is right’ approach.

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Thailand

Video | Thai ‘Death Fest’ offers new look at the end of life

Three-day event brings together exhibits, discussions and workshops to encourage visitors to talk about the inevitable.

A visitor poses for a photo sitting in a coffin at Death Fest in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)
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Indonesia

Half of Indonesia is travelling for Eid as US$100 oil threatens state finances

A US$100 oil shock is ballooning fuel subsidies towards a deficit cap breach.

People carry their belongings as they arrive for a free bus trip to their hometowns organised by the Jakarta provincial government in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Africa

Suicide attacks in Nigeria kill 23, wound more than 100

Attacks in Maiduguri are among the deadliest in the conflict-battered city in recent history.

Malaysia

Malaysia charges 2 men and seeks extradition over religious posts

Two men have been hauled up in court and a third is being tracked amid a crackdown on inflammatory social media posts.

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