Stories by Associated Press

Leo received a standing ovation as he entered the Vatican auditorium for his first meeting with representatives of the general public. The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary, elected in a 24-hour conclave last week, called for journalists to use words for peace, to reject war and to give voice to the voiceless.

Sea Rocket, who mated with Imani in 2024, has landed at Montrose Beach. Blaze and Pepper, who raised three chicks last summer, are also back on a Waukegan beach.

Several family members and advocates with loved ones incarcerated in prisons across Illinois told WTTW News that their in-person visits have been canceled by the Illinois Department of Corrections due to short staffing or lockdowns. Those visits are crucial for those inside and their loved ones, serving as a connection to the outside world and relationships.

In his first formal meeting with cardinals, which began with a standing ovation, the new pontiff said he chose his papal name to continue down the path of Pope Leo XIII, who addressed “the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution.”

In the breathless day since Pope Leo XIV’s election as the first American pontiff, the memes, doctored images and tongue-in-cheek references have piled up deeper than Chicago’s pizza and more loaded than its hot dog, seemingly irresistible to comics and commoners alike.

Elected on Thursday, Robert Prevost is the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church. And Prevost’s brother, John, said the Chicago-born missionary cheered for the White Sox.

In a surprise twist, the papal conclave elects a Chicago native as the new pope. And Mayor Brandon Johnson gets a big win on affordable housing.

Chicago was once a swamp. In some places, it still is. But will climate change undo wetland restoration efforts?

Students from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in early 2025. Once in Argentina, teams of reporters covered a wide array of issues facing Argentinians and found that many of the challenges in the South American country mirror those in the United States.

In 2018, the Argentine government passed Justina’s law, effectively making every Argentinian over the age of 18 an organ donor unless they opt out. While much progress has been made, many in the country believe there is still work that needs to be done.

In Buenos Aires, one restaurant is transforming the lives of neurodivergent employees with a thoughtful system designed for inclusion.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, an innovative restaurant is changing lives and challenging perceptions. Alamesa is a high-end eatery that is almost entirely staffed by individuals with neurodivergence.

Amid economic hardship and social stigma, thousands of informal recyclers power Argentina’s waste system and fight for recognition, respect and survival.

President Donald Trump asserted that children will be fine having two dolls — perhaps three or five — instead of 30 if U.S. import taxes increase consumer prices.

A Wisconsin man charged with crimes for a school shooting committed by his daughter is the latest U.S. parent taken to court for violence caused by a child.

In the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina, waste pickers are treating trash like treasure. The so-called cartoneros provide vital recycling services while earning a livelihood for their families.

Meet the real women behind the new Disney Plus series ‘Meet the Spartans,’ inspired by a rugby team born inside the walls of San Martin Prison in Argentina. Their pioneering program known as Las Esparantas uses rugby to build community, confidence and a path away from reoffending.

The Chicago Sky All-Star set records before her season got cut short by an injury and helped the league soar to new heights in popularity after she and the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark took their rivalry from the college ranks to the pros.

Professional rugby player Eduardo “Coco” Oderigo started a sports rehabilitation program for men in one of Buenos Aires’ most restrictive prisons. Now, almost two decades later, the program has expanded to include women.

After President Javier Milei’s sweeping deregulation decree, government health care support has dwindled, leaving millions of retirees dependent on nonprofits for access to vital prescriptions.

Thirty members of the City Council signed a letter this week urging the board to stand by a resolution it passed less than two months ago requiring that the CPS CEO hold a licensed superintendent credential.

With deep cuts to public health programs under President Javier Milei, retirees face tough choices. Grassroots groups are stepping in to meet urgent needs.

Colegio María de Guadalupe, located outside Buenos Aires, is recognized for its efforts to uplift students through family involvement, job training and values-based education.

Speakers blasted songs including “Born in the U.S.A.” and “American Pie” as six cardinal electors from the United States gathered in Rome on Friday to share their thoughts on the election of the first U.S.-born pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost.

Pope Leo XIV spoke off-the-cuff in English in the Sistine Chapel to the cardinals who elected him to follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who put a commitment to social justice at the core of his papacy. He acknowledged the great responsibility they had placed on him before delivering a brief but dense homily on the need to joyfully spread Christianity.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the shooting, which occurred around 6 p.m. Thursday after officers 4th District officers responded to a report of a person with a gun.