Global Politics

As U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepared to meet in Alaska Aug. 15, Pope Leo XIV prayed that world leaders would recognize the impact their actions have on the local population.

Faith-based organizations are commending a new pastoral letter from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) pressing the Global North to wipe out low-income countries' crippling debt and consider the ecological burden it has placed on the Global South.

In the spirit of this year of Jubilee, the Canadian bishops have called on the Canadian government and private creditors to forgive the debts of debtor nations, particularly those of the Global South.

The time for negotiations to start is now, and anything jeopardizing peace must be rejected, Pope Leo XIV said.

To say the least, much has transpired in the days following the Group of Seven Leaders (G7) signing a joint statement on June 16 in support of Israel’s right to defend itself and in opposition to Iran ever possessing a nuclear weapon.

Ukrainian Canadians feted Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s arrival in Canada in style with a large billboard near the Calgary International Airport proudly welcoming him to the G7 Summit.

Leaders of Group of Seven (G7) nations released a joint statement late on June 16 conveying support for Israel’s security and declaring that “we have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”

An advocate for migrants who led a workshop at the faith-driven G7 Jubilee People’s Forum called on world leaders to “really see migrants as people” during the G7 discussions in Kananaskis, Alta.

A broad cross-section of protest groups sought to fiercely put Group of Seven (G7) leaders and delegates on notice, standing up for various worldwide causes with a public demonstration and march in downtown Calgary on June 15 that attracted hundreds of participants.

Young adults praised the camaraderie they experienced and the knowledge they gained about debt in developing countries by attending the G7 Jubilee People’s Forum from June 12-15.