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The top photos of the day by AP's photojournalists

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The top photos of the day by AP's photojournalists
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News

The top photos of the day by AP's photojournalists

2025-06-03 09:39 Last Updated At:09:51

June 2, 2025

From front-page news to powerful moments you may have missed, this gallery showcases today’s top photos chosen by Associated Press photo editors.

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The Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows) aerobatic squad of the Italian Air Force flies during the celebrations for the 79th Republic Day in Rome, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows) aerobatic squad of the Italian Air Force flies during the celebrations for the 79th Republic Day in Rome, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Comedian Ricky Gervais celebrates with a kick at a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Comedian Ricky Gervais celebrates with a kick at a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Italy's Jannik Sinner signs autographs to fans after beating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during their third round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Italy's Jannik Sinner signs autographs to fans after beating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during their third round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Elon Musk attends news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk attends news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Allegheny County Airport, Friday, May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Allegheny County Airport, Friday, May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A young Palestinian waits to collect donated food at a food distribution kitchen in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A young Palestinian waits to collect donated food at a food distribution kitchen in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Alpacas chill on a meadow in the outskirts of Innsbruck, Austria, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Alpacas chill on a meadow in the outskirts of Innsbruck, Austria, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

PSG players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

PSG players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Afghans wrestlers fight during a match at the Chaman-e-Hozari Park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Afghans wrestlers fight during a match at the Chaman-e-Hozari Park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Wildfire smoke hangs in the air above Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/The Canadian Press via AP)

Wildfire smoke hangs in the air above Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/The Canadian Press via AP)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz slides into home, scoring from second base off an RBI single by Bryan Reynolds during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, May 31, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz slides into home, scoring from second base off an RBI single by Bryan Reynolds during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, May 31, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Pope Leo XIV arrives on his pope mobile before celebrating a Mass for the Jubilee of Families in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Leo XIV arrives on his pope mobile before celebrating a Mass for the Jubilee of Families in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Law enforcement officials dress in protective gear to investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Law enforcement officials dress in protective gear to investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Thick smoke and flames erupt from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Thick smoke and flames erupt from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Supporters of Kim Moon Soo, presidential candidate with the People Power Party, attend his election campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea, late Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of Kim Moon Soo, presidential candidate with the People Power Party, attend his election campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea, late Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Students of a dance school wait outside Romania's Palace of Parliament during a series of events marking International Children's Day in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Students of a dance school wait outside Romania's Palace of Parliament during a series of events marking International Children's Day in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Afghans play cricket at the Chaman-e-Hozari Park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Afghans play cricket at the Chaman-e-Hozari Park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A scientist from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute captures a bat for research in Gamboa, Panama, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A scientist from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute captures a bat for research in Gamboa, Panama, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli strike in Gaza City, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli strike in Gaza City, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

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The Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows) aerobatic squad of the Italian Air Force flies during the celebrations for the 79th Republic Day in Rome, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows) aerobatic squad of the Italian Air Force flies during the celebrations for the 79th Republic Day in Rome, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Comedian Ricky Gervais celebrates with a kick at a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Comedian Ricky Gervais celebrates with a kick at a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Italy's Jannik Sinner signs autographs to fans after beating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during their third round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Italy's Jannik Sinner signs autographs to fans after beating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during their third round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Elon Musk attends news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk attends news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Allegheny County Airport, Friday, May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Allegheny County Airport, Friday, May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A young Palestinian waits to collect donated food at a food distribution kitchen in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A young Palestinian waits to collect donated food at a food distribution kitchen in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Alpacas chill on a meadow in the outskirts of Innsbruck, Austria, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Alpacas chill on a meadow in the outskirts of Innsbruck, Austria, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

PSG players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

PSG players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Afghans wrestlers fight during a match at the Chaman-e-Hozari Park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Afghans wrestlers fight during a match at the Chaman-e-Hozari Park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Wildfire smoke hangs in the air above Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/The Canadian Press via AP)

Wildfire smoke hangs in the air above Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/The Canadian Press via AP)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz slides into home, scoring from second base off an RBI single by Bryan Reynolds during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, May 31, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz slides into home, scoring from second base off an RBI single by Bryan Reynolds during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, May 31, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Pope Leo XIV arrives on his pope mobile before celebrating a Mass for the Jubilee of Families in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Leo XIV arrives on his pope mobile before celebrating a Mass for the Jubilee of Families in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Law enforcement officials dress in protective gear to investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Law enforcement officials dress in protective gear to investigate after an attack on the Pearl Street Mall Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Thick smoke and flames erupt from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Thick smoke and flames erupt from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Supporters of Kim Moon Soo, presidential candidate with the People Power Party, attend his election campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea, late Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of Kim Moon Soo, presidential candidate with the People Power Party, attend his election campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea, late Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Students of a dance school wait outside Romania's Palace of Parliament during a series of events marking International Children's Day in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Students of a dance school wait outside Romania's Palace of Parliament during a series of events marking International Children's Day in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Afghans play cricket at the Chaman-e-Hozari Park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Afghans play cricket at the Chaman-e-Hozari Park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A scientist from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute captures a bat for research in Gamboa, Panama, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A scientist from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute captures a bat for research in Gamboa, Panama, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli strike in Gaza City, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli strike in Gaza City, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — In his most substantial critique of U.S., Russian and other military incursions in sovereign countries, Pope Leo XIV on Friday denounced how nations were using force to assert their dominion worldwide, “completely undermining” peace and the post-World War II international legal order.

“War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,” Leo told ambassadors from around the world who represent their countries’ interests at the Holy See.

Leo didn’t name individual countries that have resorted to force in his lengthy speech, the bulk of which he delivered in English in a break from the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic protocol of Italian and French. But his speech came amid the backdrop of the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela to remove Nicolás Maduro from power, Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and other conflicts.

The occasion was the pope’s annual audience with the Vatican diplomatic corps, which traditionally amounts to his yearly foreign policy address.

In his first such encounter, history’s first U.S.-born pope delivered much more than the traditional roundup of global hotspots. In a speech that touched on threats to religious freedom and the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion and surrogacy, Leo lamented how the United Nations and multilateralism as a whole were increasingly under threat.

“A diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies,” he said. “The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined.”

“Instead, peace is sought through weapons as a condition for asserting one’s own dominion. This gravely threatens the rule of law, which is the foundation of all peaceful civil coexistence,” he said.

Leo did refer explicitly to tensions in Venezuela, calling for a peaceful political solution that keeps in mind the “common good of the peoples and not the defense of partisan interests.”

The U.S. military seized Maduro, the Venezuelan leader, in a surprise nighttime raid. The Trump administration is now seeking to control Venezuela’s oil resources and its government. The U.S. government has insisted Maduro's capture was legal, saying drug cartels operating from Venezuela amounted to unlawful combatants and that the U.S. is now in an “armed conflict” with them.

Analysts and some world leaders have condemned the Venezuela mission, warning that Maduro’s ouster could pave the way for more military interventions and a further erosion of the global legal order.

On Ukraine, Leo repeated his appeal for an immediate ceasefire and urgently called for the international community “not to waver in its commitment to pursuing just and lasting solutions.”

On Gaza, Leo repeated the Holy See’s call for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and insisted on the Palestinians’ right to live in Gaza and the West Bank “in their own land.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

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