The Hedonist — Friday, 29 May 2026

Pope Leo XIV in heavy white silk robes standing before a massive wall of glowing blue circuit boards and digital screens in a dark Vatican hall, 85mm portrait lens, dramatic rim lighting, 4K HDR professional photography.

Articles #

A close-up of a golden papal ring resting on a sleek metallic robotic hand, velvet background, dramatic studio lighting, 50mm prime lens, 4K HDR fashion photography.

POPE SLAMS ROBOTS AS THEOLOGY OF PERPETUAL CONFLICT #

Pope Leo XIV stood in the historic halls of La Sapienza this week, his white robes a stark contrast against the cold, digital glow of the modern age. In a devastating new encyclical titled "Magnifica humanitas," the first American Pope delivered a blistering critique of the world's rush toward total automation. He did not speak of algorithms or efficiency. He spoke of faces. "The quality of a civilization is measured by its capacity to recognize the other as a face,…

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An empty mahogany desk with a Russian nameplate inside the UN Security Council chamber, soft natural light through high windows, cinematic wide-angle shot, 4K professional photography.

RUSSIAN ENVOY BANNED FROM UN NEW YORK PARTY #

Vassily Nebenzia sat before the 15-member U.N. Security Council on Tuesday, staring at an empty chair that was supposed to be filled by a high-ranking guest. The Russian U.N. ambassador told the room that the United States had refused to grant a visa to Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov. It…

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NASCAR CHAMP KYLE BUSCH DEAD AT FORTY ONE #

The world of high-speed spectacle stopped in its tracks this weekend as news broke that NASCAR legend Kyle Busch has died at the age of 41. Per NBC News, the racing star’s sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the sport he dominated with a villainous charm and a lead foot.…

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SPAIN REVOLTS AGAINST THE SOCIALIST MAFIA IN MADRID #

Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Madrid on Saturday, turning the city into a sea of gold and red national flags. At least seven police officers were…

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HOLLYWOOD LEGEND WARNS AI MONSTER IS WINNING #

Paul Schrader stood on a soundstage at the Amazon/MGM Studios lot in Culver City this week, looking like a man who had seen the end of the world and was…

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In Brief #

CANNES REJOICES AS NEON SNAGS SEVENTH PALME

Neon continued its historic streak as Cristian Mungiu’s "Fjord" took home the Palme d’Or in a year critics called a "down turn" for cinema. Despite the gloom, Hiam Abbass earned a masterclass reputation for her performance in "Atonement."

CHINA ASSIGNS DIGITAL IDS TO HUMANOID ROBOTS

Authorities in Beijing are launching a national tracking system to assign digital identification numbers to every humanoid robot. The lifecycle tracking aims to monitor safety risks as the sector moves from the factory floor to the domestic home.

PHILLIES STAR SANCHEZ EYES CY YOUNG GLORY

Left-hander Cristopher Sanchez has emerged as the overwhelming favorite for the NL Cy Young award as Memorial Day approaches. ESPN's Bradford Doolittle reports that Sanchez is the "May positivity" the Phillies needed to save their season.