Julia Höller & Human behavior

"We have always been marginalized, but Pope Francis always helped us."— Coqui Vargas, a transgender woman whose Roman community forged a unique relationship with Francis during the pandemic.

"I dream of a Europe where being a migrant is not a crime. ... I dream of a Europe that promotes and protects the rights of everyone."— Pope Francis, while accepting a prestigious European prize in 2016.

"The details keep coming out. We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk. But Trump is still too weak to fire him."— Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X.

China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China's interests. If this happens, China will not accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures.— Chinese Ministry of Commerce, regarding the response to U.S. trade strategies.

"This is an Official Visit. He will be meeting the Prime Minister. And with the United States of America, we have a Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership. So, when you have that level of partnership with any country, obviously you will discuss all relevant issues."— Randhir Jaiswal, spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs during a media briefing.

We’re supposed to have three equal branches of government, and to have the executive branch become so strong, I mean it’s just unbelievable.— Melinda Charles, expressing concern about executive overreach and its implications on government balance.

It’s never too late to change your life.— Melinda French Gates discusses the possibility of self-transformation and personal reinvention.

"Right-wing extremist forces dominate the agenda and we stand like the rabbit before the snake."— Felix Banaszak, leader of the Greens, spoke about the threat posed by right-wing extremist forces in the political landscape.

"With deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis."— Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announcing the death of Pope Francis.

It’s horrifying and terrifying. I'm watching my country be destroyed really fast and I feel hopeless.— Teri Lenfest, a 79-year-old docent at California Academy of Sciences and San Francisco Zoo who showed up to the San Francisco protest.

"The only reason they are imprisoned is for having opposed you and your electoral fraud."— Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador, in a post on the social media platform X directed at President Nicolás Maduro.

"If you have evidence, take it to the court."— Senator Chris Van Hollen urging the Trump administration to present evidence in court instead of through social media.

The message we’re getting, frankly, from the highest equalities office in the country is that they want to get rid of us, and they don’t really care where we go.— Cleo Madeleine, spokesperson for Gendered Intelligence, expresses concern about the future of vulnerable trans individuals following the ruling.

"Today, in Rome over four hours in our second round of talks, we made very good progress in our direct and indirect discussions."— A Trump administration official regarding discussions with Iran.

It’s an injustice.— Barry Knittle, 64, a manager at an engineering firm who lives in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., expressed his concerns regarding the political situation.

As the cuts dig deeper, we’re just getting louder.— Naomi Dietrich, founder of Snohomish County’s Indivisible, referring to the Trump administration’s slashing of funding for education, science, veteran services and more.

"If we capitulate to the dictates of Hamas now, all the great achievements of the war, which we achieved with the merit of our soldiers and our fallen and our heroic injured, all these achievements will disappear."— Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, in a recorded message to the citizens of Israel.

"The first thing that is important is that we all have to accept the rule of law so I accept the Supreme Court decision because it is the voice of the most significant court in the land."— John Swinney, Scotland's First Minister, discussing the implications of the Supreme Court ruling for the trans community.

The men were 'targeted at close range.'— The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society on the circumstances of the killing of medics.

"China has instructed airlines to stop taking delivery of Boeing jets."— US President Donald Trump earlier this week accused China of reneging on a 'big Boeing deal', as reports emerged about Beijing’s decision.

We want to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard and work together to fight through the very real threat of fascism that we are facing here in America.— Kathleen Proudfoot, an organizer of the protest event, spoke about the importance of people's voices and the threat of fascism.

"The Trump administration has been very clear that, in contrast to the previous administration, we WILL be the most transparent administration in U.S. history."— White House spokesman Kaelan Dorr said in a statement regarding the new website.

"Anti-democratic currents proceed subtly and attempt to undermine democratic institutions from within using democratic means."— Marc Bovermann and Samuel Stowasser on verfassungsblog.de about the threat to public broadcasting.

I'm glad to be with my family, glad to keep moving forward. I've got an internship lined up. I'm so ready to go for it.— Madison Askins, a survivor of the FSU shooting, expresses her determination to continue with her life and studies despite the trauma.

"A ceasefire will be answered with a ceasefire, and Russian attacks will be met with our own in defense."— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on responding to Russian attacks.