World Grapples with Hope, Violence, and Protest

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Homelessness Declines, Pope Calls for Peace, and Violence Erupts Domestically and Abroad

Homelessness in the United States appeared to decline in the last year, reversing a years-long trend, while Pope Leo XIV appealed for a world free from persecution, and violence erupted both in the United States and abroad.

A New York Times analysis of local counts reported to the federal government indicated that the homeless population shrank by tens of thousands of people nationwide from the record level set the previous year. The tally included jurisdictions that typically contain about two-thirds of homeless people.

On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV made an appeal for a world free from antisemitism, prejudice, oppression, and persecution, linking the message to International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed on January 27th. Speaking at the conclusion of his weekly audience in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, the Pope recalled the commemoration honoring the millions of Jews and others murdered.

In Ferguson, Missouri, authorities confirmed that at least six people were injured in a shooting that broke out during a teenager's funeral on Wednesday. The Ferguson Police Department responded to a 911 call just before noon at the Cotten-Branch funeral home. Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle described the scene as "complete chaos" upon officers' arrival within two minutes.

Meanwhile, in Iran, protesters wounded during demonstrations were reportedly being treated in secret to avoid arrest. According to the BBC, one protester, identified as Tara, said she and a friend were shot at by security forces during a protest in Isfahan. "My friend told an armed member of the security forces, 'Just don't shoot us,' and he immediately fired several shots at us," she recounted. Tara said they avoided going to a hospital due to fear of arrest.

In Evanston, Illinois, Republican lawmakers on the House Education and Workforce Committee are demanding answers from Democratic Mayor Daniel Biss regarding his alleged inaction concerning anti-Israel encampments at Northwestern University. Committee Chairman Tim Walberg sent a letter to Biss requesting he address the situation, alleging that his actions "endangered" Jewish students. The committee is considering potential legislative changes.