New details about Epstein's lenient plea deal revealed in DOJ files

Jeffrey Epstein's controversial 2008plea dealfor charges including soliciting a minor for prostitution has long drawn scrutiny, and newly released details are raising further questions about the months he spent on work release from a Florida jail.

Epstein pleaded guilty and surrendered to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office in July 2008. Dozens of accusers from several states, many underage at the time of the alleged crimes, had been prepared to testify against him on federal sex trafficking charges, but the case was shelved in exchange for his agreement to plea to lesser state charges in Florida. Many survivors of Epstein's crimes and other critics of the plea agreement have called it a "sweetheart deal."

After serving fewer than four months in jail, Epstein was granted a special arrangement that allowed him to leave custody for up to 16 hours a day, six days a week, as part of a work release program, allegedly to perform work at a charitable organization he had just established called the Florida Science Foundation.

This continued for the next nine months until his release to a year of supervised house arrest in July 2009.

Each day during his work release, Epstein was transported between the jail and an office in downtown West Palm Beach by his bodyguard and driver, Igor Zinoviev. His personal attorney, Darren Indyke, was listed as his official supervisor at the job. Epstein agreed to hire off-duty sheriff's deputies to monitor his movements, log visitors and provide security at his office and home.

According todocuments releasedunder the Epstein Files Transparency Act, his SUV used for these trips was outfitted with a bed. An account given to the FBI by one woman included the claim that Epstein engaged in sexual activity with her in the vehicle — while it was parked in the jail lot.

The woman told the FBI she was a former model from Slovakia who Epstein had first met when she was a teenager and still in high school. She told agents she was recruited from Slovakia byEpstein's friendand business associateJean-Luc Brunelduring her senior year to move to New York City and pursue a career in modeling. She met Epstein at Brunel's birthday party at the New York City restaurant Cipriani in 2003.

By the time of Epstein's incarceration, she had been involved sexually with him for several years. She was one of four "assistants" granted immunity in a federal non-prosecution agreement that Epstein received in exchange for his plea. Some Epstein accusers have alleged that those women were involved in recruiting Epstein's victims; she did not address that in statements to the FBI. The non-prosecution deal was ultimately approved by then U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Alexander Acosta.

Survivors and their attorneys say these allegations are just one example of what they describe as unusually lenient treatment, the reasons for which remain unclear.

Spencer Kuvin is a Florida attorney who represented many of Epstein's accusers and brought several of the first lawsuits against him. Kuvin told CBS News that the woman's name never appeared on the official prison visitor logs that they obtained as part of that litigation. Kuvin says that he deposed her in 2010 while suing Epstein on behalf of an underage victim. Transcripts of that deposition show her pleading the Fifth and declining to answer questions.

"I think it's absolutely disgusting the lack of oversight by the local police department," Kuvin said.

"If all of this is true, they allow a sexual predator to continue his activities even while he was supposed to be in custody and it just highlights the nature of the sweetheart deal that he got and the preferential treatment he received because of his wealth," he said.

The testimony about the SUV came during a 2020 interview conducted by FBI agents in New York as part of the criminal investigation intoGhislaine Maxwell.

During the interview, the woman described what she characterized as a friendly relationship between Epstein and members of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department, along with minimal oversight during his incarceration. She said that when she and Epstein parked in the prison lot she "recalled flashlights in the parking lot, but no one ever came over to the car."

CBS News is withholding her name because she has recently identified herself as an Epstein victim. In the interview she also told investigators that Epstein had paid her hundreds of thousands of dollars after their relationship had ended because of the challenges she claimed to be having in finding employment due to negative publicity.

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CBS News made multiple attempts to contact her through her attorneys but did not receive any response.

Over several interviews with federal investigators, documented in official interview notes known as 302s, she provided extensive details about her relationship with Epstein, including that during his incarceration she engaged in virtual sexual activity using a web-cam with him while he was apparently alone in custody.

"These interviews really show how grooming works," Adam Horowitz, another Florida attorney who represented many of Epstein's victims, told CBS News, "You're hearing the voice of someone who was conditioned to protect Epstein, even while describing the system he used to exploit young women."

Other details from the woman's FBI interview include that Epstein was particularly friendly with one prison guard who even visited Epstein's home to discuss a potential job while Epstein was in home confinement. She described a prank in which Epstein hid in a bathroom during a sheriff's inspection of his residence. She also said Epstein bragged about having an unfriendly probation officer transferred.

During her visits to the jail, she said she was never required to sign in or complete any paperwork.

In aseparate 2019 documentreleased by the DOJ, a man claiming to be a former part-time paramedic at the jail called in an uncorroborated tip to the FBI and stated that Epstein had paid for a closed section of the jail to be reopened for his use, to avoid being housed with the general population. The tipster called it "highly unusual preferential treatment."

In response to questions from CBS News, the Palm Beach Sheriff's Department wrote, "We have no evidence to substantiate that these incidents took place."

A 2021 reportby the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the Palm Beach Sheriff's Department found no evidence that bribery or undue influence affected Epstein's treatment.

"A number of survivors have made clear that Epstein's exploitation did not stop during his incarceration." Lauren Hersh, director of the anti-trafficking group World Without Exploitation, told CBS News. "At best, Epstein's highly unusual arrangement demonstrates law enforcement's negligence. More likely, this is symptomatic of a system that prioritized accommodating a predator over delivering justice for survivors and protecting vulnerable girls and women."

Apparently some investigators at the DOJ never gave up hope of pursuing the case against Epstein.

"It was a shame. We had a great case," one employee said in a previously unreleased text included in the Epstein files. "I never gave up on it. I kept everything ready … in case the non prosecution agreement got voided."

Ten more years passed before Epstein was arrested again and charged in federal court with trafficking of minors in New York. He was found dead in aManhattan jail cellon Aug. 10, 2019, andhis deathwas ruled a suicide.

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byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 08, 2026

New details about Epstein's lenient plea deal revealed in DOJ files

Jeffrey Epstein's controversial 2008plea dealfor charges including soliciting a minor for prostitution has long drawn scrutiny, and...

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ICE agents shoot and wound man during traffic stop in Central California

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot a man, who was then taken to a hospital, while attempting to arrest him during a targeted traffic stop Tuesday in California’s Central Valley, the agency said.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said the ICE officers fired defensive shots after the person they stopped attempted to run an agent over, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

The shooting happened near Interstate 5 in Patterson, about 90 miles south of Sacramento.

DHS identified the person shot as Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, an undocumented immigrant and “18th Street Gang member wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection to a murder.”

Attorney Patrick Kolasinski, who is representing Mendoza Hernandez, disputed the DHS account of the encounter and said the agents may have mistaken his client for someone with a similar name, theAssociated Pressreported.

CNN reached out to Kolasinski for comment.

Mendoza Hernandez, a day laborer, has a 2-year-old daughter and is engaged to a US citizen, Kolasinski told the AP.

Mendoza Hernandez’s family wasn’t able to immediately see him in the hospital, but were told he was stable, Kolasinski added.

Two dashcam videos obtained by CNN show a car crossing over the highway lane divider after being surrounded by agents. One agent is seen running out of the way of the car. It’s not clear exactly when agents fired at the vehicle because the footage does not have sound.

“As officers approached the car, the wanted gang member weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over. Following their training, our officers fired defensive shots to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and the public,” the DHS statement said.

DHS says its agents have been the target of increasing violence, citing more than180 vehicle attackssince Trump’s second term started. But the administration’s initial accounts of shootings involving federal agents have, in some cases, changed over time – or been proven wrong altogether.

The FBI is conducting an investigation, Acting Special Agent in Charge Eugene Wu said. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office told CNN it’s assisting, and it confirmed no local law enforcement was involved with the incident.

Dashcam footage captures incident

At least three law enforcement agents are seen surrounding a black vehicle on a road near Interstate 5, video obtained by CNN shows. The black vehicle then backs up and its passenger-side door hits another car on the road.

Agents then point their guns at the vehicle as it stops for about two seconds. The car then turns left and crosses over the highway lane divider, while an agent runs out of the way of the car.

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It’s not clear when exactly agents fired at the vehicle.

Christina Valencia, whose Tesla captured one of the videos obtained by CNN, said she noticed the flashing lights from her car.

“All of a sudden I heard like a shot fired … and then maybe like 10 seconds later, I heard about five or six more go off,” she said.

CNN cannot independently confirm Valencia’s account of the gunfire.

From there, the two agents ran to their trucks and then drove in the direction of the suspect, she said. They ultimately ended up under a nearby overpass.

When the shots started, she said she put her car in reverse. “I was scared because I was like there’s nowhere for me to go,” Valencia said.

Credibility of DHS accounts questioned in prior car-involved incidents

While agents have beensubjected to violencesince the start of Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration last year, DHS has also at times faceda crisis of credibilityregarding claims it has made in the aftermath of some high-profile incidents. In arrests and use-of-force encounters across the country, versions provided by DHS of some eventshave been contradictedby eyewitness accounts and bystander video and challenged by independent judges.

Altercations in or around vehicles have been asteady symbolof the administration’s immigration crackdown, includingcar crashesbetween federal agents and people who try to flee, traffic stopsturned violentand alleged rammings involving pro-immigrant activists.

The phrase “weaponized his/her vehicle” has beenrepeated by officialsincluding former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem when she described Renee Good, a Minneapolis mother shot and killed by an ICE agent this year. Good’s death prompted widespread protests and her burgundy SUV has become a recognizable symbol of the chaotic immigration operations in Minneapolis.

The Trump administration has also come under criticism for deporting migrants it alleges are gang members, without providing evidence, such as in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. It accused wrongly deported Abrego Garcia of being an active member of MS-13 - a claim his lawyer and family deny. Abrego Garcia is currentlyfighting against deportationin federal court.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has urged federal law enforcement to collaborate with state and local partners in investigating Tuesday’s shooting.

“As is established practice, we expect our federal law enforcement partners to appropriately collaborate with state and local law enforcement as this matter is investigated,” Newsom’s office saidon X.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNN’s Melissa Gray and Jada Furlow contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 08, 2026

ICE agents shoot and wound man during traffic stop in Central California

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot a man, who was then taken to a hospital, while attempting to arrest him during a target...

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Cowboys 7-round mock draft: Dallas picks Jermod McCoy, builds up defense

Another year, another offseason of change for theDallas Cowboys.

A second consecutive seven-win season that ended in a third-place finish in the NFC East led to some changes on staff. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is out; in his place is former Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Christian Parker.

Dallas was relatively cash-strapped in free agency but still made some critical moves. Wide receiverGeorge Pickenswas a top free agent in this class and the teamplaced the franchise tagon him so the two sides can figure out a long-term deal.

The team made changes to the defensive personnel in addition to bringing in Parker. Dallas acquiredRashan Garyviatrade from Green Bayand signedOtito Ogbonniaon the defensive line.Jalen Thompson,P.J. LockeandCobie Durantbring some reinforcements in for the new-look secondary.

In the final days of the first week of free agency, Dallastraded awaydefensive tackleOsa Odighizuwato the San Francisco 49ers in return for a third-round pick in the2026 NFL Draft. That trade brought the team another top-100 selection after trading theirs away for Pickens (to Pittsburgh) andQuinnen Williams(to the New York Jets).

2026 NFL DRAFT:Ranking the top 150 best players available

Armed with a clearer picture of the roster and a Day 2 pick, here’s what we think the Cowboys’ draft could look like come April:

Dallas Cowboys mock draft

Round 1, No. 12 overall: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

The Cowboys had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL in 2025 and brought in Christian Parker to revamp that unit. They’ll need more than just coaching improvements, though. McCoy looked like one of the best cornerbacks in the class in 2024 before missing the 2025 season with an ACL injury. If his medicals are all clear, he’d be a great value here as a plug-and-play starter with ideal size and a scheme-versatile skillset.

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Round 1, No. 20 overall: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Rashan Gary’s a great add but this pass rush needs more bodies. Faulk is similarly sized and can set the edge against the run as a rookie. He has plenty of runway for development as one of the younger prospects in the class. At 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds, he could move inside to offer some different looks in Parker’s defense.

Round 3, No. 92 overall: CB Chandler Rivers, Duke

One pick alone won’t solve the secondary, especially at cornerback. Rivers is undersized but plays bigger than his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame and is a reliable presence in run defense. He spent much of his career at Duke on the outside and could fit well in the slot with some combination of Cobie Durant, McCoy andDaRon Blandoutside.

Round 4, No. 112 overall: LB Taurean York, Texas A&M

If York were three inches taller, he’d be a second-round pick. The 5-foot-11 linebacker was extremely reliable for the Aggies on defense with no time missed with injury. He’s fast enough to hang in coverage with great vision. The Cowboys’ linebacking corps has dealt with injuries a lot in recent years and should capitalize on a good linebacker class to get some key depth.

Round 5, No. 152 overall: WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma

George Pickens looks like he’s staying in Dallas for the foreseeable future. He andCeeDee Lambmake for the best 1-2 punch at wide receiver in the league.Jalen Tolbertdeparted for Miami in free agency which leaves a hole for the field-stretcher role in the pass-catching corps. Burks is an undersized burner (4.30-second 40-yard dash) who could stretch the field like Tolbert did for the offense.

Round 5, No. 177 overall: S VJ Payne, Kansas State

Dallas brought safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson via free agency but Parker could use a versatile defensive back to deploy over the second level. Payne took snaps at multiple positions in 2025 at free safety as well as in the box and the slot. He defends the run well despite his leaner frame (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) and he has the athleticism to hang in coverage with myriad assignments.

Round 5, No. 180 overall: OT Isaiah World, Oregon

The Cowboys run it back by taking another Oregon tackle on Day 3 as they did in 2025 withAjani Cornelius. World has tons of tools that show up in pass protection with his outlier length at 6-foot-8 and 312 pounds. His inconsistency is the reason he won’t go sooner; he’s a moldable player who could be a depth left tackle behindTyler Guyton.

Round 7, No. 218 overall: Edge George Gumbs Jr., Florida

Dallas went with a bigger edge rusher in Faulk earlier and take a flyer in the final round with a former wide receiver scratching the surface of his potential. Gumbs has impressive length (33 ⅝-inch arms at 6-foot-4) and great burst off the edge. He’s a work in progress but has the tools to become a rotational pass rusher with his array of moves already.

3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Los Angeles Chargers – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Cleveland Browns – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 26. Buffalo Bills – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Cowboys 2026 NFL mock draft: Dallas goes defense-heavy, lands top CB

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 08, 2026

Cowboys 7-round mock draft: Dallas picks Jermod McCoy, builds up defense

Another year, another offseason of change for theDallas Cowboys. A second consecutive seven-win season that ended in a third-plac...

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UK charges three men with arson over attack on Jewish community ambulances

LONDON, April 3 (Reuters) - British prosecutors said on Friday they had charged three ‌men in connection with an arson ‌attack last month on Jewish community ambulances in north ​London.

The ambulances were set on fire on March 23 in what British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as a "deeply shocking antisemitic arson ‌attack".

The SITE Intelligence ⁠website has said an Iran-aligned multinational militant collective called Islamic Movement of ⁠the People of the Right Hand had claimed responsibility for the incident near a ​synagogue in ​the Golders Green ​area of London.

Counter-terrorism officers ‌are heading the investigation, but as yet the incident is not being treated as terrorism.

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The Crown Prosecution Service said the three men - aged 20, 19 and 17 - have been ‌charged with arson with ​intent to damage property ​and being reckless ​as to whether life would ‌be endangered.

Two are British nationals, ​while the ​third is a dual British-Pakistani citizen.

The three men were expected to appear at ​Westminster Magistrates' ‌Court on Saturday.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti in ​London and Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; ​Editing by Joe Bavier)

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 07, 2026

UK charges three men with arson over attack on Jewish community ambulances

LONDON, April 3 (Reuters) - British prosecutors said on Friday they had charged three ‌men in connection with an arson ‌attack last mon...

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Michigan woman missing after husband says she fell off boat in Bahamas

Police say they're searching for an American woman who disappeared Saturday in the Bahamas. The woman's husband told authorities that his wife went missing after falling from their boat and being swept out to sea.

The missing woman was identified Monday as Lynette Hooker from Michigan, according to Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Her husband, Brian Hooker, reported that he and his wife, who are both U.S. nationals, left Hope Town for Elbow Cay on the Bahamian island of Abaco at around 7:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, according to theRoyal Bahamas Police Force. They had set sail aboard an 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy, police said.

"She apparently bounced out of the boat," Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue chief Troy Pritchard told CBS News on Monday.

Brian Hooker told police that his wife fell overboard with the keys to the boat, causing its engine to turn off. He said that strong currents carried her out to sea, and he lost sight of her, according to police. Brian Hooker paddled the dinghy to shore, arriving hours later at the Marsh Harbor Boat Yard at 4 a.m. Sunday morning.

Lynette Hooker was wearing a black bathing suit at the time, officials said. The search and rescue efforts continued Monday.

"They've been out again today," Pritchard told CBS News. "We still haven't found anything."

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Police said Brian Hooker told someone his wife was missing once he made it to the boat yard, and that person informed authorities. Officers proceeded to search the surrounding area, with help from members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Hope Town fire officials.

"U.S. counterparts, volunteers, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are assisting with this," the Royal Bahamas Police Force told CBS News in a statement. The U.S. Coast Guard Miami Sector also provided air support to Bahamian authorities in their search Sunday.

Police have asked people in the community who may have information relevant to the probe to report what they know to law enforcement, or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.

The U.S. State Department warned of potentially deadly boating issues in the Bahamas in atravel advisoryissued in March 2025, which said "boating is not well regulated" on the islands, and "injuries and deaths have occurred." The advisory also warned that watercraft, like jet skis, may come from unlicensed operators who "sometimes ignore weather forecasts." It encouraged travelers to "always follow local weather and marine alerts."

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byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 07, 2026

Michigan woman missing after husband says she fell off boat in Bahamas

Police say they're searching for an American woman who disappeared Saturday in the Bahamas. The woman's husband told authoritie...

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Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Easter vigil, calls for harmony and peace in a world torn by war

VATICAN CITY (AP) —Pope Leo XIV, carrying a tall, lit candle through a darkened and silent St. Peter’s Basilica, ushered in Christianity’s most joyous celebration with his first Easter vigil service as pontiff Saturday night,urging that Easterwould bring harmony and peace to a world torn by wars.

Vatican Pope Easter Vigil

Easter for Christians commemorates Christ’s triumph over death with his resurrection following his crucifixion. Lighting the candle before he entered the basilica, the pope intoned: “The light of Christ who rises in glory."

Candle bearers stopped to light candles of the congregants as they walked down the central aisle, spreading flickers of light through the dark basilica before the lights went up as the pope arrived at the baroque main altar, followed by cardinals dressed in white.

In his homily, Leo called sin “a heavy barrier that closes us off and separates us from God, seeking to kill his words of hope within us,’’ and likened it to the stone that had covered Jesus’ tomb — but which was found overturned, revealing Jesus’ resurrection.

Leo said that there are stones representing sins to be overturned today, some “so heavy and so closely guarded that they seem to be immovable.”

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“Some weigh heavily on the human heart, such as mistrust, fear, selfishness and resentment; others stemming from these inner struggles, sever the bonds between us through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations.

“Let us not allow ourselves to be paralyzed by them!” the pope said, calling on the faithful to make a commitment “so that the Easter gifts of harmony and peace may grow and flourish everywhere and always throughout the world.’’

With theU.S.-Israeli waron Iran in its second month and Russia’s ongoingcampaign in Ukraine, Leo has repeatedly called for a halt in hostilities. On Palm Sunday,he said that Goddoesn’t listen to the prayers of those who make war or cite God to justify their violence,

As is tradition, Leo baptized 10 adults from all over the world during the Mass.

During Leo's first Holy Week, which is notoriously demanding, thepontiff carried the crossfor the entire 14 stations during the Way of the Cross on Good Friday, the first time a pope has done so for decades. On Holy Thursday, he washed thefeet of 12 priestsin the traditional Holy Thursday ritual, restoring a traditionhis predecessorPope Francis had broken by including laypeople and non-Christians.

On Sunday morning, Leo will celebrate an open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square before delivering his Easter message and offer the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” message “to the city (of Rome) and the world," which acts as a summary of the world's woes.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 07, 2026

Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Easter vigil, calls for harmony and peace in a world torn by war

VATICAN CITY (AP) —Pope Leo XIV, carrying a tall, lit candle through a darkened and silent St. Peter’s Basilica, ushered in Christianit...

Read More