The intensified diplomacy came as Russia launched its largest drone barrage against Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Pope Leo XIV presided over his inaugural mass Sunday, May 18, with world leaders and a crowd of 200,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, a conclave commenced May 7, bringing together a private group of cardinals tasked with voting for a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.