ROME (AP) – Pope Leo XIV criticized prison overcrowding and insufficient inmate rehabilitation programs on Sunday as he celebrated a special Mass for detainees, guards and their families in the final event of the Vatican’s 2025 Holy Year. The Vatican said an estimated 6,000 people signed up to participate in the weekend pilgrimage.

MILAN (AP) – Milan’s storied Teatro alla Scala celebrated its gala season premiere Sunday with a Russian opera for the second time since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. But this year, instead of drawing protests for showcasing the invader’s culture, a flash mob demonstrated for peace.

HONG KONG (AP) – Hong Kong’s biggest pro-democracy party voted Sunday to dissolve after more than 30 years of activism, marking the end of an era of the Chinese semiautonomous city ‘s once-diverse political landscape. Democratic Party chairperson Lo Kin-hei said about 97% of members’ ballots were in support of its liquidation.