International

Leo XIV, an American pope who challenges Trump’s immigration policy?

The election of Pope Leon XIV has been received with hope by the defenders of immigrants on the border between the United States and Mexico, who see him as a follower of Francis’ legacy and a possible moral counterweight to Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies.

This is the widespread feeling in the border town of El Paso (Texas), one of the most Catholic municipalities in the United States and where the church has been leading the defense of migrants for decades.

“He is a pope with a heart for migrants, workers, the poor and the disadvantaged,” Rubén García, director of the Annunciation House hostel network, told EFE.

García, whose organization has received a legal onslaught from the Texas authorities to close it, stressed the importance of the years in which the new pope lived in Peru and assured confidently that he will be a “continuist” of the defense of migrants exercised by the late Francis during his pontificate.

Although Robert Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, is the first American pope in history, there is no special harmony with the Trump Administration, as happened with his predecessor.

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Francis was critical of the Republican president: he said that building walls is not Christian, declared that not welcoming migrants is a sin and, shortly before his death, he openly opposed Trump’s plan of mass deportations.

The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, a Catholic and the last high-ranking foreign official to meet with Francis, admitted that the late pope had “some disagreements” with the US Executive.

Leo XIV seems to follow the same line. This is indicated by the activity of Cardinal Prevost on social networks until now, because in his last message in X he shared a publication of another account that criticized the agreement of the United States with El Salvador to deport migrants to the maximum security prison of the Central American country.

The publications shared by the new pope also reflect criticism of Vance and a commitment to the poor and migrants, especially Venezuelan refugees in Peru, where he spent much of his life.

After making a mass dedicated to the new Holy Father official this Friday, the rector of the Cathedral of St. Patrick in El Paso, James Marcus McFadin, explained to EFE that Leo XIV has been “very clear” when speaking “in favor of migrants, workers, the poor and the most disadvantaged by society.”

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“What I have heard since his election is that immigration is an important issue for him and that he will continue with the message and mission of Francis with immigrants,” emphasized McFadin, who declared himself surprised that an American pope has been elected, something he never imagined he would see.

“It is a unique opportunity and a very intelligent decision on the part of the cardinals to connect the Latin world with the United States,” Antonio Fernández, director of Catholic Charities in San Antonio (Texas), told EFE, who hopes that the American nationality of the new pope can serve as an interlocutor with the White House.

“He will have the ability to work to find good solutions for humanity and for migrants,” he said.

For the time being, Trump, a regular of the confrontation and who caused controversy before the conclave for publishing a recreation of himself dressed as a pope, has been restrained and institutional when celebrating the election of the new pontiff and his American roots.

“It is a great honor to know that he is the first American pope. What a thrill and what a great honor for our country! I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very significant moment!” he said.

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International

U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.

The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.

The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.

“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

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International

Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.

“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.

Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.

According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.

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International

Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.

The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.

Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.

Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.

The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.

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Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.

Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.

In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.