Axios

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was elected as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, the second day of voting in the internationally watched papal conclave.

• He will be known to the world as Pope Leo XIV.

Why it matters: Leo is the first American pope and now heads a church with some 1.4 billion members worldwide. But his power will transcend the faith community as Leo assumes a role with vast diplomatic and social influence.

President Trump called on Thursday for an "ideally 30-day unconditional ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine and threatened sanctions if it is "not respected."

Why it matters: It's unclear if Trump's pronouncement will actually have any impact on the battlefield, but it is a twist in the diplomacy around the peace process.

Federal and local U.S. leaders congratulated Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, shortly after the announcement that an American would lead the Catholic Church.

Why it matters: The new pope, in addition to his religious role, is now a global diplomat, with influence that will reach far beyond Catholicism.

Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicagoan, was elected Thursday by his fellow Catholic cardinals as the first American pope.

Between the lines: His papal name is Leo XIV — and Leo is very on trend,  at least here in the United States.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department is "reviewing the visa status" of pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied Columbia University's main library in Manhattan on Wednesday evening.

Why it matters: Rubio's announcement builds on President Trump's January order, titled "Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism," to remove international students who've joined protests and a direction for institutions and "monitor for and report activities by alien students and staff."

Robert Prevost has been elected the first American pope in history, and Chicago is here for it.

The big picture: When word came of Pope Leo XIV's Chicago roots, witty local comments flooded social media timelines, even from our elected leaders.

• "Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago," Mayor Brandon Johnson posted.

Pope Leo XIV was named on Thursday as the first pontiff from the United States.

Why it matters: The surprising choice is now the second consecutive pope from the Americas.

At least 80 people were detained Wednesday after Columbia University called in the police during a pro-Palestinian protest, the New York Police Department told Axios.

The big picture: Demonstrators occupied part of the university's main library, in resemblance to protests last spring that saw Columbia become the epicenter of nationwide campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

The new pope is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost— and will be known to the world as Leo XIV — after he was elected Thursday in the second day of voting by the papal conclave.

Why it matters: He is the first American pontiff in history and was born in Chicago.

President Trump called the slowdown at U.S. ports in the wake of his tariffs on China going into effect a "good thing."

Why it matters: West Coast ports warn of plunging cargo volume, with likely far-reaching economic effects in the weeks and months ahead.

The 2025 conclave ended Thursday on its second day when white smoke over the Vatican signaled that the Catholic Church has a new pope.

The big picture: While Catholic cardinals have previously taken up to half a year to elect a new pope, no conclave has lasted longer than four days in nearly two centuries. 2025's was no exception.

The U.S. and Britain agreed on the framework for a sweeping new trade deal, the first major pact since President Trump began a campaign of global tariffs.

Why it matters: It may serve as a model for the dozens of other countries negotiating with his administration.

The Treasury Department on Thursday said it was imposing sanctions on a Chinese refinery and the operators of a Chinese port over shipments of Iranian crude oil.

Why it matters: The sanctions follow President Trump's threat last week to punish anyone that bought Iranian oil, which was seen as mostly affecting China and Chinese companies.

Bill Gates, once the richest man in the world, vowed Thursday to give away "virtually all" of his wealth through the Gates Foundation over the next two decades.

• Then, the foundation will close its doors on Dec. 31, 2045.

The big picture: The consequential Gates Foundation — which was founded 25 years ago by Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates — has committed billions to philanthropic efforts and has made vast contributions to improving public health around the globe.

Dozens have been arrested across the country as campus demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war have reignited again.

The big picture: The protests — reminiscent of the wave of demonstrations on college campuses last spring — come as the Trump administration has cracked down on universities for incidents of alleged antisemitism and targeted individual protesters.

The European Commission on Thursday rolled out a list of more than $100 billion in imports from the U.S. that could eventually be tariffed if a trade deal can't be negotiated.

Why it matters: The significant threat of trade war escalation will increase the urgency of striking a deal, with higher tariffs looming on the U.S. side, too.

The former executive director of the World Food Programme and Nobel Peace Prize laureate David Beasley is in talks with the Trump administration, the Israeli government and other key players to head the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, two sources with knowledge of the issue said.

Why it matters: Israel and the U.S. are trying to get international donors and the UN on board with the new humanitarian mechanism, which they argue will allow aid to enter Gaza without being controlled by Hamas. Israel has blocked food, water and medicine from entering the enclave for two months, but is in a standoff with aid groups on the terms under which it can resume.

President Trump said Wednesday he hopes the clashes between India and Pakistan end soon and offered to help mediate between the two sides.

The big picture: Tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations over the disputed Kashmir region they both claim fully belongs to them are at their highest level for six years.

The University of Washington suspended 21 students who were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests at the Seattle campus this week, per a UW statement Wednesday.

The big picture: The suspended students have been banned from all college campuses. They were among some 30 demonstrators arrested Monday during a protest calling on the college to cut ties with Boeing due to the aircraft maker's relationship with Israel, according to the statement.

The Trump administration can't immediately deport undocumented immigrants to Libya as it would "clearly violate" an earlier order blocking U.S. officials from sending people to countries they're not citizens of, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

Why it matters: Sending people to Libya, which a 2023 U.S. State Department report says has "harsh and life-threatening prison conditions," is a sign the Trump administration is stepping up its hardline immigration policy of deporting people to third countries, even in the face of court orders.