Friday Briefing


Robert Francis Prevost was yesterday elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, turning into the primary pontiff from the U.S. He took the papal title Leo XIV and greeted a cheering crowd of followers at St. Peter’s Sq. by saying, “Peace be with you.” Learn a transcript of his speech.

The selection defied a longstanding perception that church leaders would by no means choose a pope from a world superpower that already has appreciable affect. “In a world that appears the wrong way up, previous taboos are additionally breaking within the Vatican, the place the thought of an American pope was unimaginable for generations,” Jason Horowitz, our Rome bureau chief, mentioned.

See the second Leo XIV emerged as pope.

As ideological camps tussled earlier than the conclave over whether or not to proceed the inclusive agenda of the final pope, Francis, or return to a conservative doctrinal path, supporters had pitched then-Cardinal Prevost, 69, as a balanced different. In his first remarks to the gang that had gathered in St. Peter’s Sq., Leo put nice emphasis on the necessity to construct bridges.

His election was greeted with rejoicing in Vatican Metropolis but additionally in Chicago, the place he was born, and in Peru, the place he spent greater than twenty years. President Trump known as his choice “an ideal honor” for the USA.

Who’s Leo? Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old pontiff spent a lot of his life exterior the U.S. He served as missionary, parish priest, instructor and bishop in Peru, ultimately turning into a Peruvian citizen. Till the loss of life of Francis, he held probably the most influential Vatican posts, operating the workplace that selects and manages bishops globally. Right here’s what else we learn about him.

What’s subsequent: Leo will rejoice Mass on the Sistine Chapel right now with the cardinals who elected him. He’ll recite a prayer on Sunday at St. Peter’s Basilica. And on Monday, he’ll meet with journalists on the Vatican.

For extra:


The U.S. and the U.Ok. intend to signal a commerce deal that will enhance market entry for billions of {dollars} of U.S. exports and in addition roll again among the punishing tariffs on British merchandise, President Trump mentioned yesterday. It was the primary settlement that the Trump administration has reached since imposing increased tariffs on its buying and selling companions.

Representatives from the 2 nations will meet within the coming months, and lots of particulars are nonetheless to be labored out. The ten p.c tariff that Trump imposed in April on Britain and different nations will stay in place, however tariffs can be pared again on British metal, aluminum and cars. In return, Britain will open up entry to beef, ethanol and different U.S. merchandise.

The information is a much-needed political victory for Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain, in addition to vindication of his technique of assiduously cultivating Trump.

Context: Regardless of the remaining deal finally ends up being, it could also be extra essential to Britain than to the U.S. Britain occupies the No. 11 spot amongst main buying and selling companions of the U.S., whereas the U.S. is Britain’s largest accomplice.

Who’s subsequent?: E.U. officers drew up a listing of 95 billion euros price of U.S. items that they may goal with increased tariffs. Hours later, Trump mentioned U.S. officers “intend to make a deal” with Europe. A primary spherical of U.S.-China commerce talks is anticipated to happen this weekend in Switzerland.

India and Pakistan look like dangerously escalating their armed confrontation. Each nations mentioned that their army websites had come beneath assault, and heavy shelling and strikes had been reported in a single day on either side of their border.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with leaders from each nations and emphasised the necessity for “rapid de-escalation,” the State Division mentioned.

On the bottom: In Jammu, an Indian metropolis of about half 1,000,000 individuals, components of the town had been beneath blackouts final night time, and the sounds of blasts and sirens could possibly be heard.

Technique: India is working to limit Pakistan’s entry to worldwide monetary assist.

Salads appear to have turn into a bit unwieldy. Cylindrical towers of romaine or layers of chicory are a method for cooks to keep up textural integrity and add a little bit pageantry — however the spectacle doesn’t all the time make for easy consuming. It’s sufficient to go away you asking, as one diner did, “Why am I reducing lettuce like a steak?”

Tate Fashionable in London, which turns 25 this week, made its best affect by re-envisioning itself as a theme park in addition to a museum, remodeling viewers expectations worldwide, our critic Jason Farago writes.

As soon as the nation’s hottest customer attraction, the glory has pale. Customer numbers are down 20 p.c since earlier than the pandemic, and funding crises have led to a number of rounds of layoffs. Is there a pathway again?


That’s it for right now’s briefing. See you subsequent week. — Natasha

Attain Natasha and the workforce at briefing@nytimes.com.