PRESS REVIEW – Friday, May 8: The Italian dailies mark Pope Leo XIV's first year at the Vatican, hailing his "discreet and collegial" papacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with the pope in a bid to appease tensions after a public spat between the pontiff and US President Donald Trump. Also: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces major losses in local elections, British conservationist David Attenborough turns 100 and BTS grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Exactly a year ago, white smoke at the Vatican indicated a new leader of the Catholic Church: Robert Francis Prevost, who became Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff marks his first year in Naples and Pompeii, much to the jubilation of the Naples-based paper Il Mattino. "Welcome Pope Leo," it says on its front page. French paper Ouest-France takes stock of the pope's first year at the helm, describing him as "more discreet and collegial" than his predecessor.

FRANCE 24's website reminds us that Leo is the first American pope. He is from Chicago, loves the White Sox, plays tennis and goes swimming, wears a smartwatch and plays Wordle. His first year can be characterised by his simplicity. 

However, the pope has also had to contend with extraordinary critiques by Trump and has proved to be capable of defending himself. In early April, as Le Parisien reminds us, the pope drew Trump's ire by criticising the war in Iran. Trump responded by calling the pope weak on crime, to which Leo said he was not afraid of the Trump administration.

In a bid to appease tensions, Trump sent his secretary of state to the Vatican on Thursday. The conservative Italian daily Il Tempo notes that the pope and Trump are both Americans and speak the same language. Yet a peacemaker, a facilitator, an interpreter of sorts was needed – a role Rubio has carved out for himself. 

In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party has suffered early losses in local elections. The Daily Mail says Starmer faces a "wipe-out" and warns that if results are as bad as predicted, it will increase pressure on the prime minister and put his future in serious jeopardy. The Daily Mirror is a little more moderate – it reports that Labour is facing major losses in key seats but that the "apocalyptic scenario" predicted may not play out.

Staying in the UK, renowned conservationist Sir David Attenborough turns 100 this Friday. Sir David is a natural historian, writer, documentary maker, narrator and conservationist. His career spans eight decades and nine documentary series. He turned his trademark whisper into one of the most powerful voices in the world. The Scotsman's editorial credits him with changing attitudes towards nature for the better and for inspiring generation after generation. In honour of his 100th birthday, a new species has been named after him: a Chilean parasitic wasp. It is just one of 50 species of plants, animals and microorganisms named after Attenborough. 

Finally, Rolling Stone magazine hails a juggernaut of a different kind: Korean pop icons BTS. Whether you're a fan or not, their cultural impact is undeniable. Rolling Stone pays tribute to BTS, who are back on top, touring once again after a long hiatus for mandatory military service. The magazine interviews Jung Kook, V, Jimin, Suga, RM, Jin, and J-Hope separately as they talk about their personal ambitions.

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