Pope Leo warns that conflicts are endangering humanity on first overseas trip

Pope Leo XIV warned of "conflict on the global level" in an impassioned address to civic leaders and lawmakers in Turkey, against the backdrop of several wars in the region.

"We are now experiencing a phase marked by heightened level of conflict on the global level, fueled by prevailing strategies of economic and military power. This is enabling what Pope Francis called a Third World War fought piecemeal," Leo told the assembly at the Presidential Palace in Ankara.

Leoarrived in Ankara – where he was greeted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – on Thursday for a six-day trip which includes Lebanon. He was expected to emphasize the key themes of his fledgling pontificate, and follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Francis, who used his platform to draw attention to conflicts around the world.

Leo issued a stark assessment of the world order being destabilized by "ambitions and choices that trample on justice and peace" Thursday, on his first diplomatic tour abroad since becoming the leader of the Catholic world in May.

"We must in no way give in to this," the first American pope said. "The future of humanity is at stake."

Erdogan echoed that Leo's visit to Ankara came at a "highly critical time" amid wars in the region, referencing Israeli forces' ongoingattacks in Gaza, and a deadly Israeli strike on the only Catholic church in the Palestinian enclavein July.

He praised Leo's "strong stance" on advocating for Palestinian dignity and human rights. "The ceasefire reached in Gaza must be reinforced, the safety of civilians must be guaranteed, and humanitarian aid much reach Gaza without any interruptions," Erdogan told diplomatic leaders.

Earlier Thursday, Leo wished Americans a happy Thanksgiving on board his papal plane and thanked journalists for their work as he traveled to Turkey.

"To the Americans here, happy Thanksgiving," Leo said as he greeted reporters flying from Rome.

Leo thanked journalists "for the service that you offer," adding that "it's so important today that the message be transmitted in a way that really reveals the truth and harmony that the world needs."

Focus on 'unity' and 'peace'

His visit to Turkey and Lebanon, Leo said, is focused on "unity" and "peace," and "to look for the ways all men and women can surely be brothers and sisters in spite of differences, in spite of different religions, in spite of different beliefs."

After touching down in the Turkish capital, Leo met Erdogan at the Presidential Palace on Thursday afternoon local time. The pope emerged from a black car and stepped onto a blue carpet, before shaking hands with Erdogan at the palace entrance.

Leo is visiting two countries with a majority Muslim population but that are home to ancient Christian communities. His visit to Beirut comes several days after bombing by Israel's military on the Lebanese capital.

On board the plane, Leo greeted each of the roughly 80 journalists on board individually, including CNN, after receiving gifts of two pumpkin pies and a pecan pie, traditional Thanksgiving desserts. As he received the dishes, Leo said he planned to share some of the pumpkin pies.

Among the other gifts presented to the pope were a baseball bat once used by Nellie Fox, the legendary Chicago White Sox baseball player – which is Leo's team – and some White Sox slippers and socks.

Leo, a keen Wordle player, recently revealed that he opts for a different starter word of the popular online puzzle game each day. When asked by the Associated Press how he had got on today, Leo said he had completed the puzzle in three attempts.

Before he circulated among reporters, the pope was also greeted by Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki, whose first papal flight was in 1979 with John Paul II. Alazraki stressed that although Leo might feel like he's going into the lion's den by meeting journalists he had "nothing to fear." She presented him with an icon of the Virgin of Guadalupe, beloved by Catholics from across North and South America.

The first day of Leo's trip also saw him lay a wreath at Ataturk's mausoleum, the resting place of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Turkey.

He departed Ankara for Istanbul later Thursday, after visiting the Diyanet, the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Turkey, and meeting the country's chief rabbi.

Although a constitutionally secular state, Turkey has a predominantly Muslim population and is home to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is considered the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church and has his headquarters in Istanbul.

Leo is due to meet with him on Friday and take part in celebrations of an important church landmark: the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which formulated core Christian beliefs. The celebrations are taking place in modern-day Iznik, northwestern Turkey, where the council was held in 325 AD.

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November 27, 2025

Pope Leo warns that conflicts are endangering humanity on first overseas trip

Pope Leo XIV warned of "conflict on the global level" in an impassioned address to civic leaders and lawmakers in Turkey, against...

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What to know about the 29-year-old suspect in the DC shooting

Two National Guardsmen were ambushed Wednesday in the nation's capital in what officials are calling atargeted shooting."

The suspected gunman has been identified by law enforcement as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He will be charged with three counts of assault with the intent to kill while armed and criminal possession of a weapon, officials said during a press conference on Thursday.

"You picked the wrong target, the wrong city and the wrong country and you will be sorry for the violence and the evil you perpetrated in our nation's capital," Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, told reporters.

Lakanwal is believed to be from Afghanistan and came to the United States in 2021 under the Biden administration, law enforcement sources said. He applied for asylum in 2024 and was granted asylum in April 2025, under the Trump administration, according to the sources.

When asked Thursday about when the suspect was granted asylum, FBI Director Kash Patel did not answer, instead referring tothe statementfrom DHS Secretary Kristin Noem.

Gunman previously worked for the CIA

The suspect previously worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, "which ended in 2021 following the withdrawal from Afghanistan," according to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

"This individual -- and so many others -- should have never been allowed to come here," Ratcliffe said.

In Afghanistan, the suspect was involved with the Zero Unit, working closely with the CIA and the Joint Special Operations Command, according to sources familiar with the investigation. The suspect was a trusted member of that team, which went after U.S. counterterrorism targets, according to sources.

Sources said the FBI is currently investigating the shooting as a potential act of international terrorism, suggesting authorities are trying to determine if it may have been inspired by an international terrorist organization.

Patel said officials are looking into whether the suspect had any associates overseas.

Drove across the country to the nation's capital

Officials said the suspect has a wife and five children. He drove from his residence in Washington state to the nation's capital prior to the shooting and targeted the Guardsmen, officials said.

"Somebody drove across the country to Washington, D.C., to attack America," said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

A search warrant was conducted at the suspect's home in Bellingham, Washington, where officials found "numerous electronic devices," Patel said.

Patel added that this is a "coast-to-coast investigation." Officials are interviewing individuals at the suspect's home and in San Diego, where the alleged shooter has ties, Patel said.

In addition to his wife and children, sources familiar with the investigation said the suspect has a brother in the United States.

2 National Guard members shot in 'targeted' attack near White House: Officials

Guardsmen were ambushed by the suspect

Pirro said the gunman, who "opened fire without provocation, ambush style," struck one of the victims, leaned over and shot the individual again. The suspect then shot the other Guard member "several times."

The weapon used in the shooting was a .357 Smith &Wesson revolver, officials said.

The suspect allegedly got shot by a third member of the National Guard and then was subdued, but officials did not say how many shots were fired at or by the suspect.

In an address on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump confirmed that the suspected gunman is believed to have entered the U.S. from Afghanistan.

"It was a crime against our entire nation," he said. "It was a crime against humanity."

Trump said the shooting "underscores the single greatest national security threat facing our nation" and the U.S. "must now reexamine every single alien from Afghanistan who has entered our country under Biden and we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country."

The Guard members, a woman and a man deployed from West Virginia, were conducting "high visibility patrols" at the time of the attack, according to law enforcement officials.

Witnesses recount shooting of 2 National Guard members near White House

They are being treated at area hospitals and are in critical condition, officials said. The condition of the suspect has not been released.

Pirro said that the suspect's charges could change depending on the conditions of the victims. If the two Guard members do not survive, Pirro said the suspect will be charged with first-degree murder.

A motive has not immediately been determined; however, Bowser said the individual "appeared to target" the Guard members.

"What we know is that this is a targeted shooting and one individual appeared to target these guardsmen," according to Bowser.

Patel said the case is being carried out as an attack on a federal law enforcement officer, adding that the victims are "heroes."

The National Guard was deployed to the nation's capital as part of President Trump'sfederal takeover of the city in August. According to the most recent update, there are 2,188 Guard personnel assigned to D.C.

ABC News' Cindy Smith and Martha Raddatz contributed to this report.

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November 27, 2025

What to know about the 29-year-old suspect in the DC shooting

Two National Guardsmen were ambushed Wednesday in the nation's capital in what officials are calling atargeted sho...

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Nigeria's president declares emergency and beefs up forces following abductions

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Wednesdaydeclared a nationwide emergencyfollowing two mass abductions of schoolchildren and a spate of attacks against civilians.

Tinubu said the government will recruit 20,000 additional police officers, raising the total to 50,000. He also authorized the intelligence service to deploy forest guards to protect remote areas from armed groups.

"My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas," he said in a statement. The constitution allows the president to declare emergency during national crises.

Recent attacks by armed groups and threats from U.S. President Donald Trump have heaped pressure on Nigeria. Last week, gunmen took 25 students in Kebbi state and more than 300 in Niger state. Those abducted from Kebbi were rescued and united with their parents, while there is an ongoing search for the others.

Trump's claims ofpersecution of Christiansand threat of "guns-a-blazing" intervention have highlighted the critical security crises in the country.

Tinubu also called for enhanced protection in schools, churches and mosques in remote areas to deter attacks. Analysts say Tinubu's plan for more boots on the ground may not be enough to reverse the tide of insecurity.

"I don't think it goes far enough. This is because the ruling elites are yet to awaken to the major reality that the issue has gone beyond throwing bodies at the problem in terms of recruitment for the security forces," Confidence McHarry, a senior security analyst at SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based geopolitical consultancy, told The Associated Press.

He said the hiring initiative is likely to fail without addressing the root causes of conflicts, like government accountability, local grievances and welfare of troops.

Multiple armed groups operate across Nigeria, including religious sects like Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province, and others who attack mainly for money.

The last time a state of emergency was declared for insecurity was in 2013 in Nigeria's northeast region to address an emerging threat from terrorist groups.

Associated Press writer Ope Adetayo contributed to this report.

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November 27, 2025

Nigeria's president declares emergency and beefs up forces following abductions

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Wednesdaydeclared a nationwide emergencyfollowing two mass abduct...

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“Mormon Wives” Star Whitney Leavitt Speaks Out on Rumored Feud with Jen Affleck

Kevin Winter/Getty; Kevin Winter/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Whitney Leavitt spoke about her rumored feud with her costar Jen Affleck on Call Her Daddy

• Leavitt clarified her viral reaction to Jen's elimination on Dancing with the Stars after fans speculated she was throwing shade

• Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives picks up with the two women no longer close, showing a disconnect that began before filming DWTS

Whitney Leavittis setting the record straight about her time onDancing With the Stars.

On theCall Her Daddypodcast,The Secret Lives of Mormon Wivesstar, 32, addressedthe drama that followed heroff the dancefloor, including rumored tensions with her costarJen Affleck.

"Jen said the minute there's an opportunity, you say you've always wanted it," Alex Cooper began, referencing Affleck's implication that Leavitt only auditioned for DWTS because she did. "What was your response to that?""That's wild," Leavitt said with a laugh, adding that she's always wanted to be a part of the dancing competition show. "I think everybody can have the same dream."Rumors of a feud between the costars first sparked after Affleck's elimination onDWTSduring the Oct. 28 episode. At the time, cameras caught Leavitt seemingly smiling before quickly covering her mouth as they announced that Affleck had been voted off.

While fans assumed she was throwing shade in the clip, Leavitt clarified there was "no excitement whatsoever" aboutAffleck's elimination.The reality star said she spent every week convinced she'd be the one sent home. "I thought I was getting eliminated every Tuesday. Every single Tuesday, I was like mentally preparing myself," she shared.But in that split second on camera, she said she felt two things at once: relief that her name wasn't called and the immediate sting of realizing her friend was the one leaving.Though she insisted shewasn't celebrating Affleck's exit, she admitted the relationship had already been strained. Leavitt was especially hurt when her costar said she wouldn't be voting for her to win during a TikTok Live.

"Jen understands what it's like being in the public eye, being in the reality space, getting the hate — she's experienced it," she said."It didn't feel great that she fed into that, that she decided to go on a live and say, 'Yeah, I'm not going to vote for her.' I mean, she could have just said who she was voting for."But theDWTSmoment was only the tip of the iceberg. As season 3 ofThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wivesreveals, their once-solid friendship shifted before Affleck's elimination.The third season of the Hulu series picks up with thecostars experiencing a distancethat neither quite understands.

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"I'm really conflicted with my relationship with Whitney because a couple of months ago, she really was the only person that was there for me during the lowest point of my life, but the minute I left MomTok, I never heard from her," Affleck shares in a confessional.

"She became best friends with Demi, the one person who was bullying me during that time."

Leavitt doesn't understand what Demi ever did to Affleck, and the two keep going back and forth, ultimately getting nowhere.In a confessional, Affleck says, "I definitely think Whitney is only here for herself and her own opportunities, and that our friendships within the group were actually never real or genuine to her."

Leavitt was later eliminated fromDWTSahead of the season 34 finale.She addressed her exitin a tearful Instagram post shared on Nov. 20.

"When you're casted onDancing with the Stars, you are seeing these people hours every single day. Then it just stops. It genuinely feels like a breakup. It feels like I'm, like, going through withdrawals right now. Today just felt so weird," she said.

"It made me sad," she continued. "You grow real friendships and, like, real connections with these people, and you learn so much about yourself and people who lift you constantly, and you challenge yourself, like, you just feel so loved."

She then shared "some key takeaways," saying, "It's so important to surround yourself with people who believe in you, who want to see you, achieve your delusional dreams, as cheesy as that sounds."The ladies of MomTok will return as the fourth season ofThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wivesis set to debut in early 2026.

Read the original article onPeople

byNeo

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November 27, 2025

“Mormon Wives” Star Whitney Leavitt Speaks Out on Rumored Feud with Jen Affleck

Kevin Winter/Getty; Kevin Winter/Getty NEED TO KNOW Whitney Leavitt spoke about her rumored feud with her costar Jen Affleck on Call Her ...

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