A new American leader just rode into town – and unlike the one we’re more familiar with, he’s got world peace on his mind.
In his first Sunday address at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV – until last Thursday a cardinal known as Robert Prevost – set out his stall as new head of the Roman Catholic church by echoing the pleas for peace of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and addressing international leaders with the call “never again war”.
Beyond the soothing words, how much of a difference can we expect to see from Leo, the 69-year-old former head of the Augustinian order who was born in Chicago but who spent much of his religious mission in Peru?
As the global Pax Americana disintegrates (covered separately this week in an excellent essay by Patrick Wintour) and the old rules of engagement no longer seem to apply, Sam Jones profiles a new pope who it is hoped can be a moderate, calming influence. Then Harriet Sherwood explains where Leo stands on the key issues facing the Catholic church, from women and LGBT+ affairs to the climate crisis.
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Five essential reads in this week’s edition
The big story | Has world war three already begun?
The rules-based world order is in retreat and violence is on the rise, forcing countries to rethink their relationships. What comes next, asks diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour
Science | The six-legged agents in the fight against disease
Could a ‘self-limiting’ gene that kills of f mosquitoes’ female of fspring reduce the spread of malaria, dengue fever and Zika? Sarah Johnson investigates
Feature | Why do people lie about taking Ozempic?
The dramatic results of weight-loss drugs often come with a side order of stigma, as though it’s ‘cheating’ not to stick to willpower, diet and exercise alone. Imogen West-Knights spoke to people struggling to come clean to their loved ones
Opinion | Let’s be honest: Prince Harry can afford his own security
Prince Harry was once royal and rich. Now he’s just rich. Isn’t it time he came to terms with that, asks Marina Hyde
Culture | Can cinema really threaten national security?
The US president’s plan for Hollywood is full of plot holes. But when it comes to the hidden propaganda baked into movies, he may have a point, argues Tom Shone
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What else we’ve been reading
• Amid countless articles on Gen Z trends, this innovative piece offers fresh perspectives by showing how millennials have been framed as “uncool”. But in the end, it’s not really about being cool or not — it’s about how rapidly the world changes, with each era bringing its own wave of trends. I find myself somewhere in the generational overlap between millennials and Gen Z. So where do I really belong? And who gets to define what’s considered “cringe”? Hyunmu Lee, CRM executive
• Michael Shannon has provided riveting performances in films such as Nocturnal Animals, The Shape of Water and Revolutionary Road. While he may not be the first actor to turn his hand to music, forming a band to cover, then tour REM’s back catalogue takes some chutzpah. Best of all, it seems his efforts made REM Shiny Happy People. Neil Willlis, production editor
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Other highlights from the Guardian website
• Audio | Why you should quit your job and change the world
• Video | Tracking down Evo Morales, Bolivia’s fugitive ex-president, in his jungle hideout
• Gallery | Inside the world’s largest archeology museum – the Grand Egyptian Museum
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