New York celebrates the election of the first American pope, Cardinal Prevost, with a spontaneous gathering at St. Patrick's Cathedral and local expressions of joy and hope for unity.

New York State government to distribute "inflation refund" checks up to $400 to assist taxpayers coping with inflation, as part of a $254 billion budget deal.

Cardinals have convened in Vatican City to elect the 267th pope, with a record 133 participants, including 10 from the U.S., spanning diverse ideologies. The conclave's secretive voting process will signal its outcome with white smoke.