Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Bright and cheering event
The Mercury
|May 22, 2025
LAST Sunday's inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican — watched live or on TV by thousands upon thousands from all over the world — was a bright and cheering event in troubled times.
-
Among the figures to whom the Pope was introduced was Volodymyr Zelenskyy, embattled President of Ukraine. Later in the day, he met the Pontiff again.
We cannot know what passed between them but can only hope they were able to discuss realistic prospects of resolving the awful slaughter in the Russo-Ukrainian War - perhaps also other conflict zones such as Gaza that are getting tragically out of hand.
Events that followed were not encouraging. Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to attend peace talks in Türkiye, sending instead a low-calibre team.
US President Donald Trump attempted to contribute from a distance by telephone but appears not to have gotten anywhere so far in actually establishing a ceasefire. It's a dangerous impasse.
This story is from the May 22, 2025 edition of The Mercury.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Mercury
The Mercury
UNAIDS warns of a looming HIV crisis ahead of World AIDS Day this year
A STARK warning from UNAIDS has illuminated a grave crisis in the global response to HIV, signalling a long-fought battle for public health at risk of unraveling.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
Bavuma leads Proteas to historic series win in India
PROTEAS captain Temba Bavuma is the master of all he surveys and is fast etching his name into the annals of South African cricket history.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
From grovelling to greatness: Proteas conquer their Everest
GROVEL. A term that has for long carried negative connotations within cricket due to former England captain Tony Greig’s comments almost 50 years ago ahead of the series against the all-black West Indies team.
3 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
Fringe Bok players likely to start in team to play Wales in Cardiff
THE Springbok team to play Wales on Saturday in Cardiff will be announced by coach Rassie Erasmus today, and it will be a combination patched together from those remaining on tour.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
Transforming your small bathroom: rental-friendly tips to maximise space
MANY homes or apartments these days have either an en suite or bathrooms that include a toilet.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
G20 Summit in South Africa: A success for MSMEs despite the absence President Donald Trump
SOUTH Africa has officially done the unthinkable: pulled off the first-ever G20 Summit on African soil, smoothly, stylishly, and with enough gravitas to make global leaders nod thoughtfully while sipping rooibos tea.
3 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
GBV: CYRIL MUST SHOW US THE MONEY
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’ classification of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national crisis is just empty words without a concrete plan on how to financially capacitate the organisations at the forefront of curbing the scourge.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
AmaZulu, Durban City chase wins
AMAZULU could climb to third in the Betway Premiership standings if they beat Richards Bay in the KZN derby tomorrow evening (7.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
Net salaries remained unchanged in October - PayInc Net Salary Index
NET salaries remained unchanged in October, according to the PayInc Net Salary Index, which tracks the average nominal net salaries of around 2.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Mercury
R60bn class action lawsuit against banks hits critical stage over inclusion of new evidence
THE long-running R60 billion class action bid against South Africa's major banks reaches a critical procedural stage today as the Gauteng High Court will hear an interlocutory application that could determine how much evidence will ultimately be allowed before the court.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size