NYT

In an interview with The New York Times, President Ahmed al-Shara urged the United States to lift sanctions and alluded to the possibility of future military support from Russia and Turkey.

In a small ceremony, Vatican officials followed the path long taken when a pope dies.

Liberals hoped he’d ordain women or allow gay marriage. Conservatives thought he’d tear up Church doctrine. But his papacy favored debate over radical action.

Ahmed al-Shara said his government was discussing military support with Russia and Turkey, appealed for a lifting of sanctions and suggested foreign fighters could earn Syrian citizenship.

Plus, the next big thing from Japan.

Weakening or rolling back longstanding environmental regulations would worsen the problem, the American Lung Association assessment says.

A funeral will be held on Saturday for the pope, who changed the rules to make such ceremonies simpler than those traditionally observed.

The decision by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to pull out of the meeting and an objection by Ukraine’s leader to a key U.S. proposal raised questions about the state of the negotiations.

The Venezuelan man did not appear on a list of people sent to a prison in El Salvador, and his family and friends had no idea of his whereabouts.

President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine are among the world leaders who plan to attend the funeral. The conclave to choose his successor will most likely start at least a week later.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India called the shooting, the worst against civilians in the region for years, a “terror attack” and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

For months, the pontiff spoke by telephone almost every night with people sheltering in a Catholic church in the battered enclave, a ritual he tried to keep up in the hospital.

Plus, the next big thing from Japan.

Retail executives huddled with the president amid fears that tariffs could result in higher prices.

Here is a look back at Francis’ appointment as pope in March 2013.

The Vatican-run Bambino Gesu mourns a pontiff who would show up last minute, and left lasting memories.

Jim Yardley, a former Rome bureau chief for The New York Times, witnessed Pope Francis’ transformation from an unlikely papal contender to a beloved figure.

Pope Francis’ critics represent a minority of the American church but a powerful one. Ruth Graham, a reporter covering religion, faith and values for The New York Times, describes how his papacy galvanized a tide of conservative resistance in the American church hierarchy, in Washington and in the pews.