Palestinian families flee the Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip amid heavy attacks on the area by Israeli forces on May 20, 2025. The United Nations said on May 21 that a limited amount of aid has crossed the border, but that none had reached people in Gaza in dire need of food and medical supplies.

Pope Leo XIV holds his first mass for the beginning of his pontificate in St Peter's square in the Vatican on May 18, 2025. Vice President JD Vance attended, along with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Spain's King Felipe VI.

Palestinians, including children, gather at a charity kitchen in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, Gaza, on May 12, 2025. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warns nearly 500,000 people in Gaza are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV is introduced from the Vatican balcony in Vatican City on May 8, 2025. The Chicago-born Leo, whose given name is Robert Francis Provost, is the first American pope. The Conclave of Cardinals elected Provost after two days.

Israeli soldiers and mourners visit graves of fallen soldiers on Yom HaZikaron, Remembrance Day for Fallen Soldiers, at the Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on April 30, 2025.

Palestinian families, including children, receive meals from a charity kitchen at a refugee camp in Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, on April 29, 2025. The Hamas-run Health Ministry says more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 117,000 injured during the conflict. The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people.

The body of Pope Francis lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on April 23, 2025. The pontiff, who died at the age of 88 on April 21, will remain in state for three days ahead of his funeral on April 26. In Jerusalem, on the same day, a holy mass was held in his honor at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Pope Francis died April 21, 2025, in Vatican City at age 88, just hours after delivering an Easter message to a massive crowd in St. Peter’s Square. He served as pope for 12 years, beginning in 2013 after succeeding Pope Benedict XVI. Here's a look back at his life and legacy.

Christians observe Good Friday in Jerusalem's Old City on April 18, 2025. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and takes place just days before Easter.

Christians tour the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during Holy Week in Jerusalem's Old City on April 15, 2025. Holy Week represents the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. The church is believed to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

Christians walk together as they celebrate Palm Sunday in Jerusalem on April 13, 2025. The large group carried palms and olive branches through the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem as part of the traditional Palm Sunday procession, which retraces the route Jesus took upon entering Jerusalem.

Members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community burn leavened products in Mea She'arim, Jerusalem, to prepare for the start of Passover. which commemorates the story of the ancient Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt. The holiday runs from sunset April 12 through April 20.

Ornamental cherry trees are in bloom at Ueno Park in Tokyo on April 4, 2025. Cherry blossom season typically runs from late March to early May, but varies by region.

Israeli soldiers work on tanks and move into southern Israel from the southern Gaza Strip as fighting increases against Hamas on April 3, 2025. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz recently announced a significant escalation of Israel's renewed offensive in Gaza to capture "large areas," creating security buffers between the Palestinian enclave and Israeli territory to the north and east and along the border with Egypt.

Egyptians gather to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at a public park outside Al-Hosary Mosque in Cairo on March 31, 2025. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

The Auschwitz concentration camp operated by Nazi Germany is marking the 80th year since it was liberated by the Soviet Red Army in 1945 on March 27, 2025. The camp is near Oswiecim, Poland. Some 1.1 million Jewish people and other ethnicities were exterminated there. The grounds are now managed as the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum.

Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on March 19, 2025. Hundreds marched through the streets, calling on Netanyahu to bring the hostages home as Israel ends its cease-fire with Hamas and attacks on Gaza resuming.

Israel ended the cease-fire and launched an attack on Gaza that kills hundreds of Palestinians on March 18, 2025. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced in a joint statement that they had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to "take strong action" against Hamas in Gaza.

Israelis wear costumes and attend a street party as they celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim in Jerusalem on March 16, 2025. Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the saving of Jewish people from an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman.

Israelis gather and protest for the release of hostages held by Hamas outside the Israel Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on March 11, 2025. Demonstrators took to the streets and blocked traffic. A tent encampment was set up outside the Israel Defense Ministry.