• The Way of the Cross - Pope Leo XIV
• "Leo from Chicago" - Documentary

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has hit back at Pope Leo XIV after he condemned Donald Trump's deadly military operation in Iran and warned that God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.

Thousands March Across Germany Demanding Peace Amid Global Crises | NewsX World - Courtesy Reuters|

• German Chancellor Merz voices support for US peace plan in call with Palestinian President Abbas | MEMO - 6 Dec 2025 |
• Germany rules out recognising Palestinian state in 'foreseeable future'

Thousands across Germany joined some 70 so-called Easter marches to rally for peace, a tradition that dates back to the 1960s. Protesters voiced their dissent against the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, along with the proposed deployment of US medium-range missiles in Germany. pic.twitter.com/A81KKnyn4c

— DW News (@dwnews) April 19, 2025

Uproar in Germany over law requiring men get military approval for long stays abroad | The Guardian |

Ministry clarifies clause affecting those up to age 45 that is part of legislation that came into effect in January 2026

Young people take part in a 'school strike' against military conscription on 5 December in Berlin, Germany. (Credit: Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

A little-noticed clause in sweeping changes to Germany's military service policy has caused uproar after it emerged that the law requires men aged up to 45 to get permission from the armed forces before any significant stay abroad, even in peacetime.

[...]

It remained unclear, however, what procedure men would need to use to gain permission before the eased regulations take effect or how long it would take.

The policy is intended to find enough volunteers to increase the ranks of the military to 460,000, consisting of 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists, by 2035. The country has 182,000 active soldiers and just under 50,000 reservists.

Compulsory military service was suspended in 2011 under the then chancellor, Angela Merkel.

The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, wants to create the strongest conventional army in Europe amid the increased threat from Russia, since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and doubts about the US commitment to European security under Donald Trump.

Last year, Germany exempted most defence expenditures from the country's constitutional "debt brake". It also earmarked more than €500bn (£436bn) for defence between 2025 and 2029.

Das faschistische Deutschland ist zurück!

Amnesia and Gaza Genocide

On Saturday, April 4, 2026, demonstrators gathered at Mauerpark in Berlin for an Easter peace march, where speakers and participants called for an end to military escalation and international conflicts.

Protesters held signs opposing U.S. President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while calling for peace and an end to what they described as war and aggression.

During speeches, participants urged the closure of U.S. military bases in Germany, including Ramstein Air Base, and criticized NATO policies and increased defense spending. Demonstrators carried a range of banners and flags, including Palestinian flags, Iranian flags, and peace flags featuring dove symbols.

Some signs called for an end to what protesters described as "war drivers," while others expressed opposition to U.S. and Israeli military actions and showed solidarity with Russia. A Statue of Liberty prop covered in red paint and holding an oil barrel is seen among the crowd. Additional banners criticized NATO and called for diplomatic solutions instead of continued military support in ongoing conflicts.