Pope Leo XIV has declared that he will remain steadfast in his anti-war position despite sharp criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists aboard a flight to Algeria, the Pope said he is not afraid of the Trump administration and will continue to advocate for peace worldwide. He emphasized that he does not wish to engage in debate with Trump but expressed regret that the message of Christianity is being misused in some cases.

Leo reiterated his commitment to speak strongly against war, calling for peace, dialogue, and the strengthening of multilateral relations among nations to find fair solutions. He lamented the loss of innocent lives and stressed that someone must stand up to say there is a better way.

The Pope, the first American to hold the position, began a ten-day visit to four African countries as part of his mission to promote peace and interfaith understanding.

Several countries have issued statements in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to blockade Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles delivered the strongest criticism, saying the proposal made no sense. China urged calm and restraint, emphasizing that keeping the strait open serves the common interests of the international community. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for a full and effective ceasefire implementation and the protection of maritime and air navigation freedom.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and the United Kingdom will organize a conference in the coming days to restore freedom of navigation in the strait. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the United Kingdom does not support any blockade. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of navigation freedom in the Strait of Hormuz and called for strong coordination among EU member states.

The coordinated responses highlight growing international concern over regional stability and the potential impact of U.S. actions on global maritime security.

Tensions have arisen between Pope Leo XIV and U.S. President Donald Trump following the Pope’s comments on the Middle East war. Despite the friction, Pope Leo made it clear that he has no intention of engaging in any political debate. Speaking to journalists, he defended his earlier remarks, emphasizing that his message remains focused on peace, not politics.

Earlier, on Saturday, while Iranian and American negotiators met in Pakistan to discuss ending the war, Pope Leo urged the international community to stop what he called the “madness of war.” He also condemned the use of Christian religious language to justify conflict. In response, Trump reacted sharply, labeling the Pope as dangerous and criticizing him as weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.

The exchange underscores growing tension between religious and political leaders over the ongoing Middle East conflict and the moral framing of warfare.

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a step toward a lasting solution and regional stability. In a joint statement, the ten-member bloc highlighted the global importance of energy flows and trade routes and called for the restoration of safe, uninterrupted navigation for ships and aircraft through the Strait of Hormuz. The ministers also urged all parties to ensure the safety of sailors and vessels in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

The ASEAN ministers praised Pakistan and other involved parties for their mediation efforts and encouraged Washington and Tehran to continue dialogue aimed at a permanent resolution of the conflict. They emphasized the importance of upholding international law, maintaining regional peace and prosperity, and promoting sincere dialogue and diplomacy.

The statement noted that although Southeast Asia holds significant fossil fuel reserves, the region remains heavily dependent on imported oil and gas, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that NATO has agreed to assist in clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz. He made the statement in an interview with Fox News following warnings about a possible blockade of the vital maritime route. Trump said the United States had previously been frustrated with NATO but now welcomed its support in ensuring the waterway remains open.

According to Trump, the mine-clearing operation will not take long, and the strait will soon reopen for shipping. He confirmed that the United States is deploying mine-removal vessels and that the United Kingdom and several other NATO member countries are also sending minesweepers to participate in the operation.

The report also noted that Russia strongly criticized Trump’s earlier blockade announcement, while Pope Leo maintained a firm anti-war stance despite Trump’s criticism. The issue has drawn global reactions, reflecting heightened international concern over stability in the region.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly developing an AI clone of himself to attend meetings and provide feedback to employees, according to the Financial Times. The AI version is being trained on Zuckerberg’s image, voice, mannerisms, tone, and public statements so that employees can feel more connected to him through digital interactions. Zuckerberg is personally involved in training the avatar and spends several hours each week coding and reviewing Meta’s AI projects.

The Financial Times report adds that if the experiment with Zuckerberg’s AI avatar proves successful, Meta may allow creators to build their own AI avatars. In 2024, Meta demonstrated a live example of an AI persona for creators and began letting them create AI versions of themselves to respond to Instagram comments. The company also offers custom AI chatbots, though it recently restricted teen access to the feature.

A separate project, reported by The Wall Street Journal in March, involves Zuckerberg creating an AI agent to help him complete tasks, distinct from the avatar being developed for Meta’s internal use.

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner reclaimed the world number one ranking after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters final on April 13, 2026. Despite windy conditions that disrupted both players’ rhythm, Sinner held his composure to win 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, securing both the title and his return to the top of the ATP rankings.

This victory marked Sinner’s third Masters 1000 title of the season, following earlier wins at Indian Wells and Miami. It also extended his winning streak at Masters-level tournaments to 22 consecutive matches, underscoring his dominant form this year. After the match, Sinner said that winning the trophy and regaining the number one position meant a lot to him, adding that adapting to clay courts had been challenging but rewarding.

In women’s tennis on the same day, Mira Andreeva captured her fifth WTA title by defeating Anastasia Potapova 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the Linz Open final.

FIFA has rejected Iran’s request to move its 2026 World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing logistical and strategic reasons. The decision means Iran must play its scheduled games on the U.S. West Coast as originally planned. The confirmation came after Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum disclosed that the request had been denied.

Iran’s football federation had sought the change due to political tensions and security concerns following heightened friction between Iran and the United States since February 28. The issue gained further attention when former U.S. President Donald Trump questioned Iran’s participation on social media, prompting Iranian officials to warn they might withdraw if safety could not be guaranteed.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino intervened to calm the situation, meeting Iranian players and officials in Turkey on March 31. He reaffirmed that Iran would compete and that football must remain above politics, with player safety as the top priority. Iran is placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.

Manchester City reignited the Premier League title race with a commanding 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The win reduced the gap with league leaders Arsenal to six points, with City having one game in hand. Nico O’Reilly opened the scoring in the 51st minute from a Ryan Cherki cross, followed by a goal from former Chelsea defender Marc Guehi. Jeremy Doku sealed the win in the 68th minute after dispossessing Moises Caicedo and beating goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Chelsea remains sixth in the standings.

In Germany, Bayern Munich continued its dominant Bundesliga campaign by defeating relegation-threatened St. Pauli 5-0. The victory not only secured three points but also set a new single-season scoring record with 105 goals. Leon Goretzka’s volley marked the record-breaking 102nd goal, surpassing the 101-goal mark set by Bayern’s 1971–72 team. Bayern now leads Borussia Dortmund by 12 points with five matches remaining and is closing in on another league title.

The Munich club is also eyeing European scoring records, with opportunities to surpass Manchester City’s 106 goals from 2017–18 and Real Madrid’s 121 from 2011–12.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that NATO has assured support in removing mines from the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the alliance, once a source of disappointment for Washington, is now willing to help clear the strategic waterway. He added that the cleanup would not take long and that the strait would soon reopen for shipping.

Trump mentioned that the United States is deploying mine-clearing vessels and that the United Kingdom and several other NATO countries are also sending similar ships. According to him, these coordinated efforts aim to ensure safe passage for maritime traffic through the vital route.

The report, citing Fox News, indicates renewed cooperation between the U.S. and NATO on maritime security operations in the region.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal helped Al Nassr make club history with a 2–0 victory over Al Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League, marking their 14th consecutive win. The result strengthened Al Nassr’s position at the top of the league table with 70 points from 28 matches, five points ahead of nearest rivals Al Hilal. Ronaldo’s strike was his 968th career goal, while teammate João Félix added the second. The win boosted the team’s confidence as they approach the final six matches of the season.

Ronaldo now sits third in the league’s top scorers list with 24 goals, behind Julián Quiñones with 26 and Ivan Toney with 27. To secure a third consecutive top scorer title, the Portuguese forward will need to maintain his form in the remaining fixtures. Al Nassr’s upcoming matches against top-four sides Al Ittifaq, Al Ahli, Al Qadisiyah, and Al Hilal will likely determine the championship outcome.

In the United States, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were held to a 2–2 draw by New York Red Bulls despite leading in the second half. Miami remain unbeaten in six matches and sit third in the MLS table with 12 points from seven games.

After leaving Pakistan, US Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington had presented its best and final offer. However, reports suggest that indirect communication between the United States and Iran continues through Pakistan, according to the BBC. Neither side has officially confirmed these behind-the-scenes discussions, but their existence indicates that diplomatic channels remain open.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said they never expected a final agreement to be reached in a single meeting. This reflects how both sides are presenting different narratives to their domestic audiences, making the true situation difficult to assess.

Meanwhile, the ongoing ceasefire remains extremely fragile. Its future, the risk of global instability, and the fate of civilians caught in the conflict all hang in uncertainty.

The European Union has emphasized that diplomatic efforts are indispensable for resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The statement came after the recent talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad failed to make progress, according to Al Jazeera. EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anwar El Anouni told AFP that there is no alternative to diplomacy in reaching a peace agreement.

El Anouni praised Pakistan’s mediating role, saying the EU welcomes Islamabad’s efforts. He also noted that Brussels is interested in contributing further to future peace initiatives. The international community remains focused on diplomatic solutions, though the stalled discussions have left the situation uncertain.

Before leaving Islamabad, US Vice President JD Vance said Iran had not accepted Washington’s conditions and that the United States had made its “final and best offer.” Observers are now waiting to see whether Iran will accept the proposal.

A 21-hour closed-door meeting between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without any agreement to halt ongoing hostilities. The failure of the high-level talks has placed the fragile ceasefire between the two nations at serious risk. Both Washington and Tehran blamed each other for the breakdown, with US Vice President JD Vance calling the outcome a major setback for Iran.

Iran’s foreign ministry described the failure as expected, noting that it was unrealistic to resolve all issues in a single session. The conflict, now in its 44th day, has already claimed thousands of lives, most of them Iranian civilians. The war has also driven global oil and gas prices sharply higher, creating new strains on the world economy.

Despite the setback, Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar said his country would continue mediating between the two long-time rivals. Analysts warned that the collapse of the talks could prolong instability in the Middle East, with direct consequences for global politics and economic stability.

The astronauts of NASA’s Artemis-2 mission expressed awe and called for global unity after completing their record-breaking lunar journey. Speaking at a press conference organized by NASA in Houston, they described Earth as a solitary “lifeboat” in the vast emptiness of space. The crew safely splashed down off the coast of California on Friday, marking the first time in over 50 years that humans have orbited the Moon.

Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, and Christina Koch shared their reflections on the mission’s significance. Koch urged humanity to preserve brotherhood, describing Earth as a calm and steady vessel in the universe. Hansen highlighted the mission’s milestones, noting that Glover was the first Black astronaut, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first non-American to orbit the Moon. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised the crew for inspiring the world to dream again.

Artemis-2 is the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis program, aimed at establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon as a step toward deeper space exploration. NASA expects humans to walk on the lunar surface again by 2028.