Top MLB prospects ready for the show? 6 phenoms on deck as next rookie wave

The conveyor belt of top prospects to the major leagues has shown little signs of slowing – and plenty of young dudes are getting rich along the way.

Kevin McGonigle’s instant impact for theDetroit Tigerspaired with theeight-year, $150 million dealhe signed on Tuesday, April 15 epitomized a trend that’stouched both leagues and multiple levels of the game. No. 1 overall prospect Konnor Griffin was called up after just a week and shortly thereafter signed a nine-year, $140 million deal.

Meanwhile, rookies such as JJ Wetherholt, Chase DeLauter and Carter Jensen are influencing the game in multiple facets, showing a comfort level that belies the fact they played their first regular season games just three weeks ago.

So, who’s next?

USA TODAY Sports examines six top prospects off to hot starts in the minor leagues and - with the key April 20 checkpoint for clubs to save a year of service time looming – who might be next up on their way to the big leagues:

Across Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson Day is observed as players take the field wearing the same number in recognition of his legacy.

These images show moments from around the league as teams mark the occasion during regular‑season play.

Above, Simeon Woods Richardson #24 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning at Target Field on April 15, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.

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Scenes from Jackie Robinson Day across the MLB

Across Major League Baseball,Jackie Robinson Dayis observed as players take the field wearing the same number in recognition of his legacy.These images show moments from around the league as teams mark the occasion during regular‑season play.Above, Simeon Woods Richardson #24 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning at Target Field on April 15, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.

Charlie Condon, Rockies

This dude figured things out in a hurry. Condon, the Golden Spikes Award winner and third overall pick after hitting 37 homers at Georgia in 2024, was set back by an unsightly strikeout rate and a wrist fracture in spring 2025.

Now, the 6-foot-5 right-handed slugger is banging down the door to Coors Field.

Condon has four homers in 11 games at Class AAA Albuquerque, including a two-homer game and three-hit game. He’s also drawn eight walks to just 11 strikeouts, his K rate a fathomable 20.7% thus far.

That’s a far cry from the 30.7% strikeout rate he toted around at three levels last year. And while he may still struggle with spin at an advanced level, at some point he needs to experience it at the big league level to continue his arc of growth.

Condon can also play either first or outfield, giving the big club some options. While a gaggle of Rockies hitting prospects have flamed out on Blake Street, a new regime in place seems better-positioned to put the finishing touches on their prized bats.

Max Clark, Tigers

You want to talk elite strikeout rates, and the notion that a prospect needs a better challenge than AAA pitching can offer?

Clark has struck out just five times in 66 plate appearances, a 7.5% K rate that would rank fifth among qualified big leaguers. Oh, he’s also posted a .962 OPS at Toledo, off to a .356 (21-for-59) start that includes nine extra-base hits and six steals in as many attempts.

Yet can a veteran Detroit team integrate two top-shelf rookies into its lineup?

Well, the McGonigle thing is working out OK. Detroit’s left and center field spots rank in the bottom third in the majors in OPS, and Parker Meadows is now out “multiple months,” manager A.J. Hinch says, after fracturing the radius bone in his left forearm in an outfield collision.

Clark, 21 and four months younger than McGonigle, still has just 274 plate appearances above Class A. Promoting him soon would be aggressive. Yet it’d also further raise the bar of competition on a veteran team aiming to take extra steps this season.

Travis Bazzana, Guardians

Just how many second basemen can a club break in so early in the season?

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That’s a question worth asking for the Guardians, who called up 24-year-old Juan Brito last week. Brito’s debut has been a mixed bag – his ninth-inning bobble of a grounder cost the Guardians a game this week – but deserves some runway.

Still, how long can the Guards keep down the No. 1 overall pick in 2024?

If nothing else, they could use Bazzana’s elite on-base skills, .380 for his minor league career and .352 in his first 15 games at Class AAA Columbus. Per usual, these Guardians are a pitching-centric outfit, in the bottom half of the majors in both runs and OBP.

(Salaries in present-day value calculated by MLB Labor Relations Department, impacted by deferrals and signing bonuses)

1. Juan Soto, Mets - $61,875,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 2. Cody Bellinger, Yankees - $42,500,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 3. Bo Bichette, Mets - $42 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 3. Zack Wheeler, Phillies – $42 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays - $40,214,286

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Aaron Judge, Yankees – $40 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Anthony Rendon, Angels - $38,571,429

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. Jacob deGrom, Rangers - $38 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Mike Trout, Angels – $37,116,667

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Gerrit Cole, Yankees – $36,000,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Jose Altuve, Astros – $33 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Kyle Tucker, Dodgers - $33 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers - $32,500,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Francisco Lindor, Mets - $32,477,277

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tarik Skubal, Tigers – $32 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. Carlos Correa, Astros – $31,500,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. Corey Seager, Rangers - $31,500,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Sonny Gray, Red Sox – $31 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks – $30,790,069

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees - $29 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers – $28,536,643

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers – $28,206,684

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Dansby Swanson, Cubs – $28 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Carlos Rodon, Yankees – $27,833,333

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (*retired) – $27,814,045

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 26. Bryce Harper, Phillies - $27,538,462

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 27. Trea Turner, Phillies – $27,272,727

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 28. Blake Snell, Dodgers - $27,152,056

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 29. Kris Bryant, Rockies - $27 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Yordan Alvarez, Astros - $26,833,333

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

See the top 30 highest paid players in MLB baseball

(Salaries in present-day value calculated by MLB Labor Relations Department, impacted by deferrals and signing bonuses)1. Juan Soto, Mets- $61,875,000

Kaelen Culpepper, Twins

Yeah, the last thing we want to do is mess up whatever glorious mojo that’s developing at Target Field. The Twins are killing the ball, ranking second in the AL in OPS, surprise leaders of the Central and even lapping the field inABS challenges.

There’s also a talented group lurking at Class AAA St. Paul, led by outfielders Emmanuel Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins. Yet it’s Culpepper, a shortstop, who’s broke quickly from the gate, with three homers and 16 hits in his first 15 games.

Culpepper was picked 21stoverall in 2024 and has a .361 OBP in 154 minor league games since. That’s one area the club could upgrade over in Minneapolis, where shortstop Brooks Lee has a .283 OBP - .280 in 205 career games – and is performing at slightly less than replacement level.

Lee debuted in 2024 and is just 25, so it’s far too soon to pull the plug on their ’22 first-round pick. Yet when their early offensive surge hits a regression, it may be worth seeing what Culpepper can bring to the infield.

George Lombard Jr., Yankees

Welcome to Qualifier City, where we lead this item with the many, many reasons Lombard won’t be on his way to the Bronx.

He’s just 20 years old. He’s beginning his first full season above A ball. Incumbent shortstop Anthony Volpe just embarked on a rehab assignment – facing Zack Wheeler in his first game at Class AA, no less – and should make his season debut sometime next week.

Fair enough. Yet Lombard appears to be embarking on a mission down at Somerset, homering in his first at-bat of the year and banging out 15 hits in his first 32 at-bats. He dazzled defensively in spring training and is respected organizationally for his son-of-a-big-leaguer baseball IQ.

Apropos of perhaps nothing: Volpe’s rehab assignment nudged Lombard to third base, where the Yankees may soon tire of the Ryan McMahon experience – he’s 5 for 39 with a sickly .128/.277/.128 line.

Bryce Eldridge, Giants

Alright, we’re cheating on this one. Eldridge made a 10-game, 28-at-bat debut last year, whiffing in 13 of those ABs. Yep, he’s already been a big leaguer and nope, the Giants may not be inclined to offer him long-term dollars until they can see less swing-and-miss.

Yet the trend lines of the Giants’ offensive futility and Eldridge’s Class AAA dominance are bound to intersect very soon.

The Giants have scored two or fewer runs in nine of their 17 games, rank last in the majors in runs, 26thin OPS and 30thwith just nine home runs. Eldridge? He’s making a mockery of Class AAA pitching, with a .360/.492/.520 line through 13 games.

Oh, the punchouts are a problem – 19 in 63 plate appearances, a 30% rate – but the Giants are not walking and not hitting and in need of offensive sentience. A ride down I-80 from Yolo County to the Bay Bridge may be in Eldridge’s near future.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:MLB top prospects 2026: 6 phenoms led by Max Clark, Charlie Condon

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 19, 2026

Top MLB prospects ready for the show? 6 phenoms on deck as next rookie wave

The conveyor belt of top prospects to the major leagues has shown little signs of slowing – and plenty of young dudes are getting rich ...

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Who won the Giants-Bengals trade of Dexter Lawrence? Here are the grades

Latest NFL mock draft| Big Boards:Consensus Top 75•Nate Tice•Charles McDonald

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veachexpected fireworks in the form of big deals during the NFL Draft. "There’ll probably be a lot of trades," Veach told reporters earlier this past week of the NFL's crown jewel offseason event, which begins Thursday in Pittsburgh.

We got at least one big one before the weekend finished in the form of theNew York Giants dealing star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick in this draft.

Earlier this month, Lawrence reportedly told the Giants he wanted out of town. The Giants countered that demand with talks of a contract extension, but that hit a wall and now Sexy Dexy is off to the AFC North, with that extension likely waiting for him in Cincinnati.

So who won this deal? Here are the grades:

Bengals gambling on a rebound … at a steep price

It's stunning what the Bengals gave up for Lawrence considering that in their team history, they've never surrendered a top-10 draft pick for a player,according to ESPN.

Sure, they got a two-time Pro Bowler on a defense starving for talent, particularly after the loss of Trey Hendrickson to free agency. However, Lawrence had a down 2025 season and is approaching the wrong side of 30, turning 29 midway through the 2026 season.

Is Lawrence's "down" season overblown? Here'swhat Yahoo Sports senior writer Jori Epstein wrote on the statistical downturn:

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"Lawrence followed up a career-best nine sacks in 2024 with a career-low half a sack in 17 games during the 2025 season. Lawrence’s pass-rush win rate, per ESPN, registered at 8%, per ESPN’s advanced metric, while his run-stop win rate did not rank in the league’s top 10.

And yet, Lawrence also faced more double teams (71%) than 18 of the 19 interior defensive linemen who won their pass rushes within 2.5 seconds at a higher clip than he did.

There are data points to support a dip in Lawrence’s production in 2025, which some personnel evaluators also believe was reflected in the intensity of his effort — especially in defending the run. And then there are other data points that suggest the Giants’ 28th-ranked defense and 26th-ranked scoring defense would have fallen even further without Lawrence trying to fight through midseason firings at head coach and defensive coordinator as well as a personnel deficit that may not have set the group up for success.

Perhaps the Bengals didn't believe they could've landed their needed defensive prospect in the draft at No. 10. Spending that premium pick on a proven commodity, coupled with a hefty extension for that player, was bold, but it feels like they could've gotten more than a one-for-one swap. The price looks especially bonkers considering an NFC executive told Epstein that they didn't believe the Giants could get more than a second-round pick for Lawrence.

The Bengals said otherwise, investing on an older, more expensive player who won't have as much club control contractually compared to a rookie first-rounder.

John Harbaugh is a big winner

Losing a prime talent like Lawrence hurts, but new Giants head coach John Harbaugh probably couldn't have dreamed of better compensation than the No. 10 pick of this draft.

The Giants are sitting in prime position for next week's big event, holding these picks in the top 40: Nos. 5, 10 and 37. That's a helluva hand to be dealt in Year 1 of a rebuild. And it's not like the Giants don't have talent on defense with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The team's recent doldrums seemed to be more on the coaching side, which Harbaugh was brought in to fix.

New York also avoids any more offseason drama over Lawrence's contract and dodge a potential monster extension that would eat up the salary cap.

This draft isn't stocked with potential superstars, but there is high quality available. And the Giants just gave themselves a better shot at landing multiple elite players with the Bengals' unprecedented surrender of draft capital.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 19, 2026

Who won the Giants-Bengals trade of Dexter Lawrence? Here are the grades

Latest NFL mock draft| Big Boards:Consensus Top 75•Nate Tice•Charles McDonald Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veachexpec...

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Myanmar cuts ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, frees former president

April 17 (Reuters) - Myanmar has reduced the sentence of imprisoned ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer told Reuters on Friday, as part of an amnesty by a new president who ousted her government ‌in a coup five years ago.

Suu Kyi, 80, was serving a 27-year sentence for a litany of charges ‌her allies said were politically motivated to keep her at bay, ranging from incitement and corruption to election fraud and violating a state secrets law.

The ​sentence has been cut by one-sixth, but it remains unclear whether the Nobel Peace Prize winner will be allowed to serve the rest of her sentence under house arrest, the lawyer said.

Suu Kyi, who had dismissed the charges against her as "absurd", has not been seen in public since the end of her marathon trials, and her whereabouts have been unknown.

Earlier, state media reported that President Min ‌Aung Hlaing approved an amnesty for 4,335 prisoners, ⁠the third such move in the past six months. Amnesties typically take place in Myanmar each year to mark Independence Day in January and New Year in April.

Among the prisoners freed was ⁠Suu Kyi ally Win Myint, who served as president from 2018 until the 2021 military coup. State broadcaster MRTV said he was "granted a pardon and the reduction of his remaining sentences under specified conditions."

A spokesperson for the military-backed government did not immediately respond to ​a ​request for comment.

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The United Nations said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "takes note" ​of the moves, while underscoring "the need for meaningful efforts ‌to ensure the swift release of all those arbitrarily detained, including State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to create conditions conducive to a credible political process."

"A viable political solution must be founded on an immediate cessation of violence and a genuine commitment to inclusive dialogue. This requires an environment that allows the people of Myanmar to freely and peacefully exercise their political rights," Guterres' spokesperson said in response to media queries.

The United States welcomed Win Myint's release but called for ‌the military government to free all those unjustly detained, including Suu ​Kyi.

"We urge Burma’s military and other armed groups to immediately cease violence ​harming civilians, ensure unhindered humanitarian access across the country, ​and engage in meaningful dialogue to end the crisis and achieve a sustainable peace," a State ‌Department spokesperson said.

The 2021 coup against Win Myint and ​Suu Kyi's democratically elected government ​was led by Min Aung Hlaing. It plunged the Southeast Asian country into a nationwide civil war that continues to rage.

Min Aung Hlaing was elected president on April 3 following polls in December and January during which the opposition ​was stifled and largely absent. Critics and ‌Western governments dismissed the vote as a sham designed to entrench military rule behind a democratic facade.

(Reporting by ​Reuters Staff; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Writing by David Stanway and Martin Petty; Editing ​by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Christian Schmollinger, John Mair and Andrew Heavens)

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 19, 2026

Myanmar cuts ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, frees former president

April 17 (Reuters) - Myanmar has reduced the sentence of imprisoned ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer told Reuters on Friday, as p...

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Ludvig Aberg sets pace at RBC Heritage with sterling 63

Ludvig Aberg of Sweden posted an 8-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead at the RBC Heritage on Thursday in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

At the post-Masters signature event at Harbour Town Golf Links, which features a $20 million purse and no 36-hole cut, Aberg is hunting for his first win since February 2025.

"To me, this week is more about sort of mentally being ready, mentally being charged coming off a couple of tough weeks," Aberg said. "But hopefully I'll be ready to go this weekend, as well."

Aberg made five of his eight birdies on the back nine and stayed bogey-free. He holed a 16-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th to reach 8 under.

By day's end, he ranked fourth in the field in both strokes gained on approach and strokes gained putting.

"I felt like the highlight for me was definitely my irons and my approach play," Aberg said. "I felt like that was really positive. Felt like I was hitting the flights I was trying to do. I was on the correct side of the flags, those kind of things that I really like to see. Then a few putts went in on the back nine that I didn't really do on the front."

Aberg is up a shot on Harris English and Norway's Viktor Hovland, while a six-way tie at 6-under 65 includes Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland, Andrew Novak, Michael Brennan, England's Matt Fitzpatrick and New Zealand's Ryan Fox.

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English and Hovland also turned in bogey-free cards, with Hovland crediting his up-and-downs more so than any particular birdie.

"I hit some really nice chip shots today, especially on 10. It was a nice up-and-down there," Hovland said. "Making a par on 12, I hit it left, which is pretty dead; making an up-and-down there was pretty nice."

Brennan led the field with 16 of 18 greens in regulation and Novak holed more than 81 feet of putts. Novak lost to Justin Thomas in a playoff at this event last year.

Fowler, a longtime fan favorite, has won just once on tour this decade and not since July 2023. He's in position for a run after limiting himself to one bogey against seven birdies, including five in his first seven holes.

"I think it was probably more so between the ears," Fowler said. "Really didn't have great stuff the last few days and just put some time in to try and get into a better spot. Had a nice warm-up this morning. Really just tried to slow things down and get into a better rhythm, more consistent contact and flight."

The group at 5-under 66 featured Daniel Berger, Robert MacIntyre of Scotland, Sepp Straka of Austria and Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim of South Korea.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler shot a 3-under 68. Thomas struggled to a 5-over 76, tied for 80th out of 82 golfers with England's Tommy Fleetwood.

--Field Level Media

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 19, 2026

Ludvig Aberg sets pace at RBC Heritage with sterling 63

Ludvig Aberg of Sweden posted an 8-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead at the RBC Heritage on Thursday in Hilton Head Island, S.C...

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How the dispute between Trump and Pope Leo escalated

President Trump has been lobbing insults atPope Leo XIVin response to his criticisms of the war in Iran and appeals for peace, marking an unusually pronounced rupture between the leaders of the world's most powerful country and the world's largest Christian denomination.

But Leo criticized the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts bothbeforeand after he was elected leader of the Catholic Church. He told reporters in November that the treatment of immigrants is "extremely disrespectful," echoingthe views of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

Operation Epic Fury, whichbegan on Feb. 28with joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, served as the catalyst for the ongoing exchange of words between Pope Leo and Mr. Trump.

The day after the military operation began, the pontiffexpressed "deep concern"and urged the warring parties to "stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss." His words grew sharper as the war continued, with Francis condemning Mr. Trump's threat to destroy Iranian civilization as "unacceptable" and urging citizens to "contact the authorities — political leaders, congressmen."

The U.S. and Iranagreed to a two-week ceasefireon April 7, but Mr. Trump and Leo have continued to trade barbs, with the president's rhetoric escalating following a"60 Minutes" segmentthat highlighted the pontiff's criticisms of the Trump administration's mass deportations and war with Iran. During the segment, a group of U.S.-based Catholic cardinals skewered the war, saying it did not meet the definition of a just war under Catholic doctrine.

April 12: Trump calls pope "weak on crime" and "very liberal"

After watching the segment, Mr. Trump took to social media to go after Leo.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump lambasted the pope as "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy."

"I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon," he wrote. "And I don't want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I'm doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History."

Mr. Trump then claimed his return to the White House played a role inLeo's electionlast year to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, calling it a "shocking surprise."

"He wasn't on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump," the president wrote of the first American pope in history. "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."

He praised Leo's brother, Louis Prevost, anoutspoken Trump supporterwhomet with the presidentin the Oval Office last year.

Mr. Trump concluded his social media post by urging the pontiff to "get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It's hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it's hurting the Catholic Church!"

The president doubled down on his criticisms of Leo in comments to reporters when he arrived at Joint Base Andrews following a weekend in Florida, saying, "I don't think he's doing a very good job."

"I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo," Mr. Trump said. "He's a very liberal person, and he's a man that doesn't believe in stopping crime. He's a man that doesn't think that we should be toying with a country that wants a nuclear weapon so they can blow up the world. I'm not a fan of Pope Leo."

Late in the day, Mr. Trump faced criticism overanother religious matter: An AI-generated image that he posted to social media that appeared to depict the president in the likeness of Jesus. He later insisted the image showed him not as Jesus, but as a "doctor," though he deleted the post hours later, telling CBS News he "didn't want to have anybody be confused."

April 13: Trump says he doesn't think pope "should be getting into politics," Vance advises pope to "stick to matters of morality"

Vice President JD Vance — who converted to Catholicism — entered the fray, telling Fox News that "in some cases, it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality, to stick to matters of what's going on in the Catholic Church, and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy. But when they're in conflict, they're in conflict."

In a Q&A session at the University of Georgia, Vance said he liked it when the pope commented on issues including abortion, immigration and war because it invites conversation. He challenged Leo on a statement the pope had previously made on X, that God "is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs."

"How can you say that God is never on the side of those who wield the sword?" he asked. "Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated France from the Nazis? "Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated Holocaust camps and liberated those innocent people?...I certainly think the answer is yes, and…I agree Jesus Christ certainly does not support genocide."

While taking questions from reporters at the White House later that day, Mr. Trump said, "Pope Leo said things that are wrong," and said he is "very much against what I'm doing with regards to Iran."

"I think he's very weak on crime and other things," the president said.

Then, in aphone interviewwith CBS News senior correspondent Norah O'Donnell, Mr. Trump said Leo is "wrong on the issues."

"I don't think he should be getting into politics. I think he probably learned that from this," he said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian came to the pope's defense,writing on X: "I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person."

April 13: Leo responds that he has "no fear" of Trump

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Inresponse to Mr. Trump's broadsides, Leo said, "The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone, and the message of the Gospel is very clear: 'Blessed are the peacemakers.'"

"I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do," he said. "We are not politicians, we don't deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker. "

April 14: Homan says cardinals should "stay out of politics"

The president continued to go after Leoon Truth Social, writing, "Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter. AMERICA IS BACK!!!"

Later in the day, White House border czar Tom Homan, describing himself as a lifelong Catholic, told reporters that the cardinals who spoke out on "60 Minutes" should "stay out of immigration."

"I love the Catholic Church," he said. "I just wish they'd stick to fixing the church, because there's issues — I know because I'm a member — and stay out of politics."

April 15: Mike Johnson "taken aback," argues Iran war is a just war

GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson, like Vance, also disputed Leo's remarks about war, in particular that Jesus does not hear the prayers of those who engage in war. He may have been referring tothe pope's postfrom March 29, which said, "He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them."

Johnson, an evangelical Christian, told reporters he "was taken a little bit aback" by that remark and argued, "It is a very well-settled matter of Christian theology: There's something called the Just War doctrine."

The Archdiocese for the Military Servicesexplains that a just war is one that is defensive and launched as a last resort: "The damage inflicted by the aggressor…must be lasting, grave, and certain." It must have "a serious prospect of success," and "the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated."

Johnson sought to defend the president's and vice president's comments and actions in those terms and said their remarks reflect "their understanding" from "classified briefings of the stakes that are so high in the situation that we're facing, and the fact that you have the nation that was the largest sponsor of terrorism now having had that ability taken away from them. That means potentially, millions of innocent people will be able to keep their lives and not get killed by terrorists. That's a good thing."

The House speaker also said a "pontiff or any religious leader can say anything they want, but obviously, if you wade into political waters, I think you should expect some political response, and I think the pope's received some of that."

April 16: Trump says he "has a right to disagree" with pope; Leo warns "those who manipulate religion and the very name of God"

Leo, who was traveling in Cameroon,posted on X, "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth."

Later in the afternoon, as Mr. Trump was departing for Las Vegas, he told reporters he has no personal issue with the pope, and thinks he should speak his mind. But the president again said it's "very important the pope understands Iran killed 42,000 people," in reference to the unverified number of protesters who have been killed in Iran since late last year.

The president also alleged that the pope "says Iran can have a nuclear weapon."

There is no evidence that Leo endorsed Iran seeking a nuclear weapon, and the pope and other Catholic Church officials havetraditionally voiced oppositionto nuclear weapons.

Mr. Trump said they're "not fighting" and "I have a right to disagree" with the pope.

"This is the real world. It's a nasty world," he said. "But as far as the pope and saying what he wants, he can do that."

Asked if he'd meet with Leo to iron things out, the president said, "I don't think that's necessary."

April 18: Pope says debating Trump "is not in my interest at all"

While traveling from Cameroon to Angola, Leo said a "certain narrative" about his interactions with Mr. Trump has "not been accurate in all of its aspects," saying some of his comments had been prepared weeks before the president first criticized him.

"Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary upon commentary, trying to interpret what has been said," Leo said. "The talk that I gave at the Prayer Meeting for Peace a couple of days ago was prepared two weeks ago, well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of peace that I am promoting."

"And yet as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all," Leo added.

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byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 18, 2026

How the dispute between Trump and Pope Leo escalated

President Trump has been lobbing insults atPope Leo XIVin response to his criticisms of the war in Iran and appeals for peace, marking ...

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Atletico Madrid on a high after return to Champions League semis and with chance to win Copa title

MADRID (AP) — It's good to be an Atletico Madrid fan right now.

APTOPIX Spain Champions League Soccer

One of the most fanatic fan bases in Europe is also one of the most long-suffering ones, with the team perennially in the shadows of powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Atletico is on top, though, havingeliminated Barcelonain the quarterfinals of theChampions Leagueand seeing city rival Real Madrid in need of overcoming a one-goal deficit against Bayern Munich in Wednesday's second leg of their quarterfinal in Germany.

Atletico can cap its good week by winning the Copa del Rey for the first time in more than a decade on Saturday, when it will face Real Sociedad in Seville.

Fans are feeling good about themselves, and the club is capitalizing on the moment.

Atletico on Wednesday posted aseries of postson X provoking Barcelona and celebrating its triumph. The team lost Tuesday's match 2-1 at its Metropolitano stadium, but it had won 2-0 in Barcelona last week.

“How's it going?” said one of the first posts on Atletico's X account not long after the game.

“We love the smell of freshly cut grass in the morning,” the team said on a post Wednesday, in an apparent reference to the complaints by Barcelona coach Hansi Flick on Tuesday saying that the grass at the Metropolitano was too high and would hurt his team.

Another post showed a video of players celebrating on the field in front of Atletico fans after the match, along with the phrase, “More than a club,” alluding to the same words that Barcelona uses to describe itself.

One post showed Atletico players wearing sun glasses and using earphones, referencing a similar photo of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal doing what appeared to be a LeBron James impression ahead of the 2016 NBA Finals in which James' Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit in the series to win the title.

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Yamal had said ahead of Tuesday's match that James was an inspiration for him. He also used on Instagram a photo of James holding the NBA trophy after winning the 2016 title.

Another post showed a video of a lion — with the image of the Barcelona shield on it — transforming into a dog after trying to attack a man who had the Atletico shield on him.

“We are proud of the work that we have being doing all season,” Atletico captain Koke Resurrección said. “We played against one of the most difficult opponents that we could face, with young players who are among the best in the world, and we deservedly won. This is something historic for the club. We know that it's not easy to be among the last four in the Champions League.”

Atletico, seeking its first Champions League title, had not reached the semifinals since 2017, when it was eliminated by Real Madrid. It also lost to Madrid in finals in 2014 and 2016.

Atletico eliminated Barcelona on its way to those two finals. The club made it to the European Cup final one other time, in 1974, when it lost to Bayern Munich.

“It's great to be able to give our fans a Champions League semifinal and a Copa final,” said Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann, who was with Atletico when it lost the 2016 European final and who will leave the club at the end of the season for Major League Soccer.

Atletico has been the perennial third-best club in Spain. It has rarely broken through the dominance of Real Madrid — a record 15-time European champion — and Barcelona, a five-time Champions League winner. The powerhouses have combined to win all but one Spanish league title since 2015 — Atletico did it in 2021.

The team can bring home its first Copa title since 2013 on Saturday, that's if it can recover from the celebrations from Tuesday. Defender Marcos Llorente said he only got about three hours of sleep after the match against Barcelona.

“Hopefully they can get some rest and on Saturday we will try to play a good final,” coach Diego Simeone said.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

April 18, 2026

Atletico Madrid on a high after return to Champions League semis and with chance to win Copa title

MADRID (AP) — It's good to be an Atletico Madrid fan right now. APTOPIX Spain Champions League Soccer One of the most fa...

Read More