Ruth Sherlock

The public document describes Europe as a decaying group of nations and says the US should, quote, cultivate resistance within these countries to policies and governing bodies the US disagrees with, such as the European Union.

Speaking at an event organised by the media company Politico, von der Leyen said the sovereignty of voters in Europe must be protected.

and that, quote, nobody else is supposed to interfere.

She said the Trump administration's stance is one reason why the EU is trying to set up a, quote, democracy shield project meant to fight against foreign interference online, including in elections.

Ruth Sherlock, NPR News.

Pope Leo began the day visiting a hilltop monastery with sweeping views of the sea to pray at the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese Maronite revered by both Christians and Muslims.

At another pilgrimage site high in the mountains, Pope Leo heard testimonies, including from a priest helping refugees and a Filipina domestic worker, about the treatment of migrants in Lebanon.

Leo called on church workers to bring hope to their faithful, saying that even among the rubble of a world that has its own painful failures, it's important to offer prospects for rebirth.

Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Beirut.

Pope Leo began the day visiting a hilltop monastery with sweeping views of the sea to pray at the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese Maronite revered by both Christians and Muslims.

At another pilgrimage site high in the mountains, Pope Leo heard testimonies, including from a priest helping refugees and a Filipina domestic worker, about the treatment of migrants in Lebanon.

Leo called on church workers to bring hope to their faithful, saying that even among the rubble of a world that has its own painful failures, it's important to offer prospects for rebirth.

Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Beirut.

Pope Leo began the day visiting a hilltop monastery with sweeping views of the sea to pray at the tomb of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese Maronite revered by both Christians and Muslims.

At another pilgrimage site high in the mountains, Pope Leo heard testimonies, including from a priest helping refugees and a Filipina domestic worker, about the treatment of migrants in Lebanon.

Leo called on church workers to bring hope to their faithful, saying that even among the rubble of a world that has its own painful failures, it's important to offer prospects for rebirth.

Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Beirut.

Pope Leo made his remarks at a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Beirut.

Lebanon has suffered in recent years from conflict with Israel, an economic collapse and the explosion of chemicals at Beirut port.

in 2020 that devastated the capital.