On the first papal visit to Spain in 15 years, Leo plans to address political polarization and showcase the Catholic Church as an advocate for migrants and asylum seekers.
The summit comes as China positions itself as a global power player projecting stability in contrast to the U.S.'s economically damaging war against Iran and erratic tariff policies.
Hungary agreed to drop its opposition to opening the formal access talks but is still opposed to the fast-track membership process that Ukraine says it needs as protection from Russia.
Authorities have been largely successful at erasing the massacre of protesters who fought for democratic reforms, but the facts are emerging in often unexpected ways.
Israel and the powerful Iranian-backed militant group have continued to trade attacks since an initial ceasefire deal in April. Hezbollah has not commented on the latest agreement.
Nations in the Five Eyes intelligence partnership warned that fake profiles and job offers are targeting military officers, spies, and others with access to classified or sensitive information.
Plumes of thick black smoke rose over St. Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin's hometown, as the Kremlin welcomed international guests for an event often described as Russia's Davos.