Spain's lawmakers have given Pope Leo XIV a lengthy standing ovation after his historic address to parliament. This marks a new level of acceptance of the Catholic Church in largely secular Spain. Leo on Monday called for respect for migrants' rights and international law. He emphasized a "moral renewal" to ensure dignity for all, including the vulnerable. He also urged dialogue amid new tensions between Israel and Iran. And he highlighted the need for ethical oversight of AI in weapons systems. He called for efforts to prevent migrant smuggling and promote integration. Spain’s Socialist-led government has defended immigration on economic and humanitarian grounds.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have underscored their commitment to deepen cooperation in a closely watched summit. Xi traveled to Pyongyang on Monday in a likely attempt to reassert China's unique influence over its socialist neighbor. In a meeting with Kim, Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation in a wide range of areas including trade, agriculture and technology. Kim said consolidating a new era of friendship between the two countries is the “unchanging strategic choice” of North Korea, according to Chinese state media.

Pope Leo XIV is urging Spaniards to stop “fanning the flames of polarization” as he arrived in Spain. Leo opened his weeklong trip in Madrid and was greeted at the airport by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Leo visited Spain dozens of times before as a priest. But this visit is the first by a pope in 15 years. It signals Leo is returning papal attention to Europe’s Christian roots after Pope Francis largely stayed away from the traditional centers of Christianity in favor of smaller Catholic communities farther away. It’s a moment of political turmoil for the Socialist-led government and a credibility crisis for the Catholic Church.

Renowned Indigenous leader Brooklyn River, who spent years fighting for the rights of his community and was imprisoned by the government in September 2023, has died. The Nicaraguan government issued a statement Sunday alleging that Rivera died from a bacterial infection after his health had declined following a case of COVID-19, which led to his physical and neurological deterioration.. Human rights activists and groups worldwide denounced his death and a statement that the government released Saturday in which they referred to Rivera as “Brother” and said they were praying for him.

Spanish police have mounted a search of the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party as part of an ongoing investigation into possible financial wrongdoing. The Civil Guard told The Associated Press on Wednesday that officers were under judicial orders to find material relevant to the National Court probe into accusations of corruption against former party members. The police search of the office in central Madrid marks another blow to the party of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose Socialists have been hammered by a series of corruption scandals.