In it, he declared that much of the world is living “in a state of de facto atheism,” adding, “There are many settings in which Jesus, although appreciated as a man, is reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman”

He continued: “There are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure”

Catholics closely watched the mass for clues on the direction that Leo may take the Church

Leo becomes the pope at a time when the church is divided between more modernizing and conservative branches, which are split on issues ranging from Latin masses and the emphasis of social justice to the Church’s overall appearance and direction

Pope Francis was firmly in the modernizing camp, having called for an open church that was more focused on social justice, held inter-faith dialogues, lived outside of the typical papal residence, and avoided using the “popemobile”

It remains to be seen where Leo will fit in this divide, although he did give his first address as pope wearing traditional garb, including a velvet cape, that Francis declined to wear

Last Thursday, the US announced its first post-tariff trade deal, an agreement with the UK to increase access for US exports in exchange for the US dropping tariffs on some UK goods

The deal also makes tariff relief contingent on the UK ensuring that supply chains and ownership of certain assets meet “US requirements,” an apparent effort by the US to restrict Chinese exports and ownership of critical goods, services, and assets

The deal suggests the US will use tariffs to limit Chinese economic relations with other countries, something it has sought to do since the first Trump Administration

The US has long expressed concern to third countries about China’s role in their economies, from everything to port ownership and 5G network construction, and the US has pressured countries, including the UK, to reject Chinese offers

Critics of the UK’s current Labour government described the deal as giving the US a veto over Chinese investment and exports

Another British official told the FT that the US was concerned that China could use the UK, because it will be subject to lower tariffs, to circumvent tariffs or restrictions on other countries

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Israel has stopped allowing aid into Gaza, alleging that it is being taken and administered by Hamas

The US and Israel recently proposed a new aid system in which a US-backed NGO would deliver aid under the protection of US private military contractors (mercenaries). The UN has blasted the plan as violating the principle of neutrality in aid delivery

On Friday, it emerged that the US has threatened to withhold funding from the UN’s World Food Program, 40% of whose budget it provides, unless the UN agrees to the plan

This weekend, it emerged that the US was negotiating directly with Hamas and that the militant group would release the last living Israeli-American hostage

The UN has said that the US-Israel aid proposal would violate the “core fundamental humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independent delivery of aid”

US officials, meanwhile, have maintained that American contractors and Israeli soldiers would only be involved with securing aid deliveries but the actual delivery of it

President Trump claimed that the US facilitated the deal and would “substantially” increase trade with the countries because of their willingness to negotiate. Pakistan acknowledged the US’ role while India did not

Early Saturday, the sides had launched missiles at each other’s military installments, fueling fears that the conflict was at risk of spiraling. By the afternoon, though, the sides had reached a truce

The ceasefire has mostly held since, and both Pakistan and India claimed victory

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China provides around 80% of Pakistan’s arms, while India is increasingly reliant on Western ones. The conflict therefore marked the first time that cutting-edge Chinese and Western equipment faced off

Last week, a China-made jet saw combat for the first time and shot down a cutting-edge French one, causing the Chinese company’s stock to jump 40%

Diplomats, analysts, and traders all examining data from the conflict to reach new conclusions about various companies, countries, and their strengths

Within hours of Pakistan claiming to have shot down the jets, Chinese diplomats were reportedly at Pakistan’s foreign ministry, analyzing the data from the battle to draw conclusions about their own military

The Chinese jet, a J-10 Vigorous Dragon, was first made 30 years ago but didn't see combat until last week. It's the first fighter jet made by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Company to see combat

That company’s stock led an industry-wide jump in Chinese defense stocks