International

Pope Leo XIV marks first 100 days with prudence and diplomacy

On August 14, Pope Leo XIV reaches his first 100 days as pontiff, a period marked by prudence, a reserved profile, and a strong inclination toward Vatican diplomacy. Since his election on May 8, the U.S.-born pope, who will turn 70 in September, has avoided major structural decisions, choosing instead to observe and listen before acting.

Among the most visible changes compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis, is a return to liturgical tradition: he has resumed wearing the red mozzetta, white pants under the cassock, and residing in the Apostolic Palace. He has also reinstated the Corpus Christi procession through the streets of Rome and resumed vacations at Castel Gandolfo.

So far, Robert Prevost has appointed only his personal secretary, leaving adjustments within the Roman Curia for later. Experts, such as Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, suggest that the pope should not be judged by immediate breaks or continuities with Francis, but rather by his long-term leadership style.

Ines San Martín of the U.S. Pontifical Mission Societies notes that Leo XIV “has spent these months listening more than speaking” and anticipates the first personnel changes may come in September. His style, inspired by Saint Augustine, emphasizes spiritual life, friendship within community, and charity.

On the international stage, the pontiff has reinforced his image as a mediator. He sent Cardinal Robert Sarah to official events, offered the Vatican as a venue for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, spoke with Vladimir Putin, and received Volodymyr Zelensky twice. He has also condemned attacks in Gaza and reiterated his call to halt armed conflicts, rearmament, and the environmental crisis.

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With a balance between tradition and prudence, Pope Leo XIV faces the next stage of his pontificate with expectations that his first strategic decisions will arrive in the coming months.

International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”

International

Mexico security chief meets DEA director in Washington to boost anti-drug cooperation

Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, met in Washington with the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Terrance Cole, to discuss cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal arms flows.

The Mexican official said Monday on social media that he attended the meeting in representation of the Mexican government’s Security Cabinet.

“In Washington, D.C., I represented the Security Cabinet to hold talks with DEA Director Terrance Cole on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation to combat drug trafficking, curb the flow of weapons into our country, and reduce violence in Mexico through significant arrests,” García Harfuch wrote.

He added that, following instructions from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the government will continue strengthening international cooperation on security matters.

For his part, Cole said the meeting focused on cross-border collaboration to tackle drug trafficking and to build safer communities on both sides of the border.

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The meeting comes as Mexico and the United States begin a new round of dialogue on economic and security issues.

Earlier Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said she will look for the “best moment” to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, adding that maintaining a good relationship with Washington is a priority for her administration.

International

Venezuela’s foreign minister accuses UN rights chief of “immoral bias”

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, accusing him of having an “immoral bias” and acting as an “echo chamber for falsehoods” regarding the situation in Venezuela.

Gil’s remarks came after Türk stated that his office had not received an official list from Venezuelan authorities detailing the release of political prisoners, nor authorization to carry out visits related to the issue.

“The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights insists on a narrative biased against our country, repeating unfounded accusations while deliberately omitting the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the rights of the Venezuelan people,” Gil said in a message posted on his Telegram channel.

Without directly addressing the question of prisoner releases, the Venezuelan foreign minister also accused Türk of aligning with what he described as the “agenda of extremism in Venezuela.”

Gil added that, despite serious human rights violations occurring in other parts of the world, the UN official has chosen to maintain what he described as an “immoral bias” against Venezuela.

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The criticism is part of a broader dispute between the Venezuelan government and the UN human rights office over reports and investigations concerning the human rights situation in the country.