News and Views: May 8, 2025

 

Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd in his first appearance

World leaders welcome Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff  Speaking from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV addressed the jubilant crowd streaming into St. Peter's as the sun began to set on a cloudless day in Rome.

   "We have to seek together to be a missionary church... always ready to accept, like this great piazza, with its arms, we have to show our charity, presence and dialogue with love," he said.

The First American Pontiff: Pope Leo XIV 

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Albany sneaks in budget language that would put NY taxpayers on the hook for Tish James’ legal bills if she’s probed by Trump admin    Albany Democrats are expected to sign off on a provision allowing certain officials to tap into a $10 million fund to cover “any reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred” — even as part of probes not directly related to their state employment.

   The language is being slipped into New York’s operations budget bill — one of several expected to be made public and voted on starting Wednesday as the Legislature moves to pass next year’s fiscal plan.

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Undercover investigation: Planned Parenthood prescribing hormones to minors with minimal oversight    Undercover phone calls released today by pro-life activist group Live Action reveal that Planned Parenthood clinics across several states offer cross-sex hormonal treatments to minors as young as 16 with very little parental or medical supervision.

   The group is now calling on Congress to defund Planned Parenthood of hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funding.

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Hollywood Actor’s ‘Demonic Attack,’ ‘Insane’ God Encounter Shock Him Into Belief   Nick Shakoour, who has inspired millions through his portrayal of Zebedee in “The Chosen,” is openly sharing his incredible faith journey.

    Shakoour told CBN News his new book, “Transformer: Awakening From A Spiritual Coma – A Nick Shakoour Autobiography” — which details his path out of darkness and into Christianity” — is a “tribute to God.” Screenshot

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In 2021, NYC removed a statue of Thomas Jefferson from city hall due to “racism.” The city has now erected a huge statue of a rotund woman in Times Square. So, we’re taking down monuments to people who accomplished some of greatest feats in human history, from which we are all… pic.twitter.com/cC7B2rHzyR

— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) May 7, 2025