Angelique Walker-Smith is senior associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church engagement at Bread for the World. This week, she speaks to the impact of the death of Pope Francis in Africa and the upcoming Africa Day on May 25.
Category: INTERNATIONAL
International News / Items from Around the World
Posted inReligion
Black America celebrates African heritage of Pope Leo XIV
The election of Pope Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago—has sparked pride across Black America, as genealogical records confirm his Creole and Haitian roots trace back to New Orleans’ 7th Ward, making him the first pope with verifiable African-American ancestry.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Robert Prevost, first American pope in history of the Catholic Church, will take the name Leo XIV
By Nicole Winfield Robert Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Prevost, a 69 member of the Augustinian religious order, took the name Leo XIV. He appeared on the loggia […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
May Day demonstrations around the globe protest 47th US president’s agenda
On May Day, hundreds of thousands across the U.S. and around the world rallied against the U.S. president’s agenda, protesting immigration crackdowns, aggressive tariffs and perceived attacks on labor protections and civil rights. From Los Angeles to Manila, demonstrators united in defense of workers’ rights, immigrant protections, and global economic stability, highlighting growing concern over the rise of far-right politics and economic inequality.
Posted inNational News
Black female WWII unit, ‘Six Triple Eight,’ receives congressional honor
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe during World War II, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on April 29, 2025, honoring their heroic efforts in clearing a massive mail backlog and their long-overdue recognition as American patriots.
Posted inPolitics
‘Margaritagate,’ propaganda and the erosion of justice: Why the Abrego García case is a national alarm bell
The orchestrated photo op between Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and wrongfully deported Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego García, dubbed “Margaritagate,” exemplifies the government’s use of propaganda to mask state misconduct and deportation abuses. This case highlights a broader erosion of democratic principles—where truth-tellers are punished, due process is subverted, and marginalized communities face systemic injustice.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Millions mourn Pope Francis
Pope Francis, the first pope from South America, was known for his humble and non-traditional gestures, and his passing has prompted reflection on his powerful legacy and the unfinished hopes of Black Catholics seeking recognition for African-American sainthood.
Posted inReligion
A Black pope? Francis made it a possibility
Pope Francis, who died at age 88, leaves behind a legacy of advocacy for marginalized communities, including Black people, through actions like appointing the first African-American cardinal and condemning racism as a sin. His inclusive leadership reshaped the Catholic Church’s global power dynamics and opened the possibility for the election of the first Black pope.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, died on April 21 at age 88, leaving behind a transformative yet polarizing legacy marked by his humility, compassion for the marginalized, and progressive reforms that challenged conservative Catholic traditions. While he inspired many with his focus on social justice, interfaith dialogue, and a “poor church for the poor,” his papacy also stirred controversy over his approach to sexual abuse scandals, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and church doctrine.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
A Pentecostal church in South Africa holds mass Easter weddings for 3,000 people, some polygamous
A Pentecostal church in South Africa celebrated Easter Sunday with a mass wedding ceremony for about 3,000 people, many entering into polygamous marriages as part of the church’s traditions. The International Pentecost Holiness Church, which blends Pentecostal beliefs with African customs, held its largest wedding event yet at its 60,000-seat headquarters near Johannesburg.
Posted inU.S. Government
First signs of hope — Sen. Van Hollen meets with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador
Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s in-person meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador confirms that the Maryland resident is alive and well, bringing renewed hope to those demanding his safe return. The moment has sparked a call to action, urging the public to amplify awareness, pressure lawmakers, and stand united in defense of justice and democracy.
Posted inMaryland News
Fight over return of wrongfully deported Maryland man heats up
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said in an April 14 news conference that he will not return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father wrongly deported to a notorious El Salvador prison last month. The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the government to facilitate his return, but officials in both countries continue to pass off responsibility on who should initiate Abrego Garcia’s trip back to America.
