What's going on: Yesterday was a big day for Catholics and the chronically online. After much speculation on PopeTok, the College of Cardinals selected the first-ever American pope. (The Vatican did not, tragically, make the smoke red, white, and blue.) Robert Francis Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — is a moderate Catholic from Chicago with dual US-Peruvian citizenship. There’s been much speculation on whether he’s a Cubs or White Sox fan — but as one TV commentator put it, either way, “he knows suffering.” Leo shares Pope Francis’s values on immigration and economic justice, and his papal name nods to those ideals. (Accounts linked to Leo have critiqued the Trump administration and VP JD Vance.) Some note he’s previously held more “traditional” views on LGBTQIA+ rights and the role of women in the Church. At 69, he’s relatively young for a pope (or a US elected official) and already has Vatican experience overseeing bishop appointments. This morning, he celebrated his new role with his first Mass as thehead of the Roman Catholic Church in theSistine Chapel.
What it means: Pope Leo wasn’t a total dark horse in the conclave, but many analysts didn’t believe an American could be elected because the US is already such a global superpower (seems unfair to lead in military spending, hot dog consumption, and run the Catholic Church). Some see Leo’s election as a chance to recalibrate America’s image abroad, especially as the US grapples with its global leadership role. Others are waiting to see how he’ll shape the Church: Will Leo continue Francis’s largely inclusive approach or steer it in a new direction? Time will tell, but the internet already has thoughts. Some posts got political (“Smart to go with an American pope to avoid any extra tariffs”), while others just roasted (“The Body of Christ now comes in deep dish”). President Donald Trump, for his part, said he looks forward to meeting the new pope. Stay tuned to see if he shows up in that outfit.
Government Puts mRNA Vaccines Under the Microscope
What's going on: Earlier this month, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) said that it would cut $500 million in mRNA vaccine funding and redirect it toward studies using old-school vaccine technology. Scientists warn the move could stall breakthroughs in mRNA-based treatments for patients with conditions like pancreatic cancer and Type 1 diabetes. Critics — including Health Secretary RFK Jr. and some Republicans — have inaccurately labeled mRNA therapies as “weapons of mass destruction” and falsely claimed they could alter genetic code. But researchers point out that mRNA is naturally found in all living cells and is not a foreign substance. Doctors and scientists warn that if the technology continues to be targeted, the US could fall behind in a race that could save countless lives.
What it means: A spokesperson for the NIH said the agency made the decision to pull funding based on a “data call.” But scientists say the move is political, pointing to the increasing vaccine hesitancy that’s taken hold in Washington, especially with RFK Jr. at the helm. The new administration’s approach is an about-face from President Donald Trump’s first term, when he launched Operation Warp Speed, which developed the first mRNA vaccines for COVID. Between the politicization of the pandemic and the rising influence of health conspiracists in the Oval, the administration seems to want to distance itself. Medical experts, meanwhile, say the further dismantling of trust in mRNA could shift existing research to countries where health authorities are putting their money where their welcome mat is.
When an AI-Generated Voice Addresses the Courtroom
What's going on: 37-year-old veteran Christopher Pelkey was shot and killed during a 2021 road rage incident in Chandler, Arizona. This month, his killer heard from him in court — or rather, from a four-minute AI-generated video created by Pelkey’s sister and her husband. It’s believed to be the first-ever use of AI for a victim impact statement in a US courtroom. In the surprise video (allowed under Arizona law), Pelkey thanked the judge, told his killer he believed in forgiveness, and offered life advice. It ended with a farewell: “Well, I’m going to go fishing now. Love you all. See you on the other side.” Judge Todd Lang praised the video and later requested a copy to share with other judges. Pelkey’s killer, Gabriel Horcasitas, was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison — the maximum for manslaughter.
What it means: While powerful, the AI message raises legal concerns. The judge found it gave him a clearer picture of the victim, and dozens of letters from family and friends echoed that sentiment. But defense attorneys quickly filed an appeal, arguing the AI video could be an issue. Legal experts warn that AI-generated statements, even if heartfelt, risk blurring the line between memory and persuasion. One law professor called it a warning shot: “Deepfake evidence will be increasingly used.” Arizona’s top court is now reviewing how AI could reshape trials. For Pelkey's family, however, the video was about something bigger: “For Chris to be able to speak on his behalf, it was absolutely worth it.”
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If you simply can't get behind the return of the jelly sandal, you might want to try fisherman sandals. They have a similar strappy silhouette, but are much less Limited Too-coded.
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Maren Morris just dropped Dreamsicle — and lit a match to everything that wasn’t serving her. The singer’s fourth studio album — an extension of last summer’s Intermission — is packed with introspection (Wicked's Elphaba was on her mood board), cheeky bops (hi, “Bed No Breakfast”), notable collabs (Julia Michaels, Jack Antonoff, MUNA), and her signature sass (see: “B*tch, you still owe me rent” on “Too Good”). All of which, according to Morris, adds up to a sonically bold, zero-regrets “demarcation line” in her life. Boundaries never sounded so good.
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