The inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV will take place on Sunday, May 18, in St Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced.
World leaders are expected to gather for the event, held 10 days after the election of Robert Francis Prevost as the first US head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
READ ALSO: Leo XIV Says Church Must Fight ‘Lack Of Faith’ In First Mass As Pope
The new pontiff will meet with journalists on Monday and with diplomats accredited to the Holy See the following Friday, the Vatican said.
Leo’s first general audience will be on Wednesday May 21 and he will meet with members of the Roman Curia — top Vatican officials — on May 24.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso announced Friday he will leave the club at the end of the season, amid reports linking him to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Alonso said it was “the right moment” to announce the exit, but did not confirm his next post, saying it was “not the right moment to talk too much about the future”.
Spanish and German media reported Friday the 43-year-old has already agreed to join Real and will link up with the Spanish giants after the Club World Cup, replacing Carlo Ancelotti, with a compensation payment of around 12 million euros ($13.5 million) to be paid to Leverkusen.
Taking over in October 2022, Alonso guided Leverkusen to an unbeaten league and cup double in 2023-24, the first Bundesliga title in the club’s history.
In March 2024, Alonso declared he would stay with the club despite reported interest from Liverpool, Real and Bayern Munich, all of whom he represented as a player.
READ ALSO: Man Utd One Step Away From Europa League Glory Despite Horror Season
Alonso will be in the home dugout for the final time on Sunday against Borussia Dortmund, before his last match as Leverkusen coach away at Mainz.
“We have to enjoy this moment, with mixed emotions. I spoke this morning to the players, the staff, who have been with me during this unbelievable, fantastic three years,” Alonso said.
“And now it’s the moment to share it on Sunday, especially with the fans, in the stadium on Sunday, where I lived great emotions and where I have become what I am right now.
“Football is about the moment and I think is a good moment for everyone. Let’s enjoy it… We can be happy and proud of what we have achieved always with the good feeling we’re taking the club in the right direction.”
Leverkusen’s title defence ended with their 2-2 draw at Freiburg on Sunday, which confirmed Bayern as this season’s title winners. Alonso’s side will finish in second spot regardless of results in their final two matches.
‘The job was done’
Gesturing to sporting director Simon Rolfes and club CEO Fernando Carro at the back of the room, Alonso thanked the duo for “believing in me” when they hired him despite having no first-division experience.
The coach revealed the three sat together in San Sebastian, where he was then managing Real Sociedad’s second team, to sketch out their plan for success at Leverkusen.
“I remember our first meeting we had some ideas, some expectations. And once you fulfil them, you can say that the job was done.”
Alonso joined in October 2022 with Leverkusen hovering dangerously close to the relegation spots. The Basque immediately put the club back on track; by the end of the season, Leverkusen had risen to fifth, while making the Europa League semi-finals.
After bringing in several key pieces in the off-season including midfielder Granit Xhaka, striker Victor Boniface and full-back Alex Grimaldo, Alonso piloted Leverkusen to an unbeaten league and cup double — the first in German football history.
“It was a historic season, a dream season with great nights and great games,” Alonso said Friday.
In bringing Leverkusen their first league title, Alonso helped shatter the unwanted ‘Neverkusen’ moniker given to the club after five second-place finishes, three German Cup final losses and defeat in the 2002 Champions League final.
In 2024-25, Leverkusen pushed Bayern until the last weekend in the league and remain on track for their second-best points total.
Alonso’s men were eliminated from the German Cup semi-final by third-tier Arminia Bielefeld and by Bayern in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The coach said this season was “the most challenging one,” but said “I’ve learned so many things and I have improved as a coach”.
Manchester United are, improbably, 90 minutes away from qualifying for next season’s Champions League after a 7-1 aggregate win over Athletic Bilbao to set up a Europa League final against Tottenham.
Ruben Amorim’s men, who have endured a terrible Premier League campaign, came into Thursday’s second leg at Old Trafford with a comfortable 3-0 cushion.
But the 4-1 scoreline gives a misleading impression of the match as the nervy home side struggled to gain a foothold after falling behind to a superb Mikel Jauregizar strike in the first half.
READ ALSO: Spurs Reach Europa League Final To Keep Postecoglou’s Trophy Boast Alive
A triple substitution shortly after the hour mark changed the game, with substitute Mason Mount scoring two eye-catching goals and Amad Diallo creating havoc on the right.
Manchester United’s English midfielder #07 Mason Mount (2L) celebrates with teammates after scoring Manchester United’s fourth goal during the UEFA Europa League semi final second leg football match between Manchester United and Athletic Club Bilbao at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund scored the other goals as the nerves disappeared at Old Trafford, giving way to a raucous party atmosphere.
“I think if you look at both games, it was so much tougher than if you look just to the result,” said Amorim.
“We have so many weaknesses and you can understand that in the game, but we are fighting and we managed to pass. I think we deserve, if you look at the two games, to be in the final.”
In the final, United will face Tottenham, who beat Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate.
Amorim, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, admitted the showpiece in Bilbao later this month would be his biggest match so far at the club.
“The money (in the Champions League) is not the most important, even the title,” he said.
“To win a title as a coach is that feeling. It’s that feeling that we can do good things, the feeling to give something to our fans, especially in this kind of season.”
Premier League slump
United are heading for their worst finish in the English top-flight since they were relegated in 1974, though they cannot go down this season.
But it has been a radically different story in Europe, where they are the only team unbeaten in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
The fact that United are pinning all their hopes on Europe’s second-tier club competition is a sign of how far they have fallen since they were regularly competing at the sharp end of the Champions League.
They reached four Champions League finals under former manager Alex Ferguson, winning two of them.
Ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now FIFA’s head of global football development, believes it is not appropriate that the Europa League winners qualify for the Champions League.
This is especially because five English teams will qualify for Europe’s top club competition through the Premier League.
Rival teams will balk at the presence of United or Tottenham in next season’s Champions League after their dire league form.
Both teams are guaranteed to finish outside of the European qualification places in the Premier League, with United currently in 15th and Spurs in 16th.
But the rules are set and both clubs have the chance to finish on a high.
Tottenham have beaten United three times this season, twice in the Premier League and once in the League Cup, but Amorim is not unduly perturbed.
“Every game has its history. So, we lost the three last games, we can win this one,” said the former Sporting Lisbon boss.
“So, if you look at the odds, we are closer to win than to lose. Both teams are going to play like all or nothing in this kind of game. It’s quite similar. The position of the coach is quite similar.
“I know that (Spurs manager) Ange (Postecoglou) has been there for one more year. It is different, the context, but we are struggling, both of us. So, I don’t know what is going to happen.”
Tottenham kept alive their hopes of ending a 17-year trophy drought and saving Ange Postecoglou from the sack as they beat Bodo/Glimt 2-0 on Thursday to book a Europa League final clash against Manchester United.
After winning the semi-final first leg 3-1 last week, Postecoglou’s troubled side weathered the storm in a second leg played in gale-force winds in Norway.
Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro netted in the second half as Tottenham’s 5-1 aggregate victory secured their place in the final in Bilbao on May 21.
United thrashed Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate to set up the showdown between the Premier League’s two biggest underachievers this season.
Tottenham have already beaten United three times this season, winning 3-0 and 1-0 in the Premier League and 4-3 in the League Cup.
The north Londoners are aiming to win their first European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup and their first silverware in any competition since the League Cup in 2008.
Tottenham’s last four finals have all ended in defeat, most notably the 2019 Champions League showpiece against Liverpool, while they were also beaten in the 2009, 2015 and 2021 League Cup finals.
Ending that dismal streak would fulfil Postecoglou’s bold boast earlier this season that he always win a trophy in his second season.
“We knew it was a difficult place to come. We’re aware of the record they have here, the pitch. The lads handled it well. Excited, we’re in a final,” Postecoglou said.
“You understand the context of what this football club has been trying to achieve for quite a while.
“We’ve overcome adversity this season. We’ve grown in maturity and we understand exactly what’s required. I think that’s where we won the game.”
Despite languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, Europa League glory for Tottenham would also secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Whether that will be enough to spare the beleaguered Postecoglou from the sack is another matter.
The Australian has admitted the general perception outside Tottenham is he faces the sack regardless of the Europa League run because their domestic form has been so bad.
With three games left in the top-flight season, Tottenham are in danger of their worst finish since they were relegated in 1976-77.
United are just one place above Tottenham in the English top flight after an equally woeful campaign.
Composed Tottenham
Based just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodo/Glimt were the first Norwegian team to play in a major European semi-final.
Kjetil Knutsen’s side stunned Lazio in the quarter-finals after beating Porto, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olympiakos, Besiktas and Twente earlier in the tournament.
It was a remarkable achievement for a side from a fishing town with a population of barely 50,000.
Playing in icy temperatures and persistent rain on artificial turf at the tiny 8,270-capacity Aspmyra Stadium, it would have been in keeping with Tottenham’s turbulent campaign if they had become the minnows’ latest scalp.
But Tottenham kept their composure, delivering a committed display to retain their chance of salvaging their wretched season.
Porro went close early on with a 25-yard free-kick that was superbly tipped over by Nikita Haikin.
In the howling wind, Patrick Berg’s swirling free-kick forced Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to claw it away at full stretch.
In contrast to their usual ultra-attacking tactics, Tottenham were content to sit back and hit on the counter, often slowing the game down so much that Vicario was booked for time-wasting.
The plan worked a treat as Bodo/Glimt struggled to establish any momentum before Solanke scored in the 63rd minute.
Cristian Romero rose highest to head goalwards and Solanke pounced with a predatory close-range finish.
Porro killed off the Norwegians six minutes later when the right-back’s cross dipped in at the far post with Haikin rooted to the spot.
Postecoglou could finally breathe a sigh of relief on the touchline as Tottenham celebrated a rare uplifting moment in a season of angst.
Chelsea advanced to the final of the UEFA Conference League after a 1-0 win over Swedish side Djurgarden on Thursday sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory in their last-four tie.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck the only goal at Stamford Bridge late in the first half on a night 16-year-old Reggie Walsh became the youngest player to start a European game for Chelsea.
The Blues can become the first club to win all three of UEFA’s current competitions if they beat either two-time runners-up Fiorentina or Real Betis in Wroclaw on May 28.
Defender Marc Cucurella was the only player retained from the team that beat Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend as manager Enzo Maresca made sweeping changes to his line-up with an eye on Sunday’s crucial game at Newcastle.
The Italian has been criticised for his cautious tactics but he has fifth-placed Chelsea on course to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish in England.
Teenage midfielder Walsh made his debut off the bench in the 4-1 win in Stockholm a week ago as Chelsea seized control of the tie, but that result didn’t deter some 6,000 Djurgarden fans from making the trip to London for the second leg.
Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George forced saves from Djurgarden goalkeeper Jacob Rinne before the two Chelsea players combined to put the hosts in front in the 38th minute.
George threaded a pass through for Dewsbury-Hall who accelerated past a couple of defenders before sweeping in a crisp finish via the base of the post.
That goal killed off any remote hopes for Djurgarden, the first Swedish club to appear in a European semi-final since Gothenburg won the 1986-87 UEFA Cup.
Dewsbury-Hall had a chance to double his tally when he headed Malo Gusto’s cross straight at Rinne, but the visitors rarely threatened with the exception of a long-range shot from Daniel Stensson that was tipped over by Filip Jorgensen.
Chelsea haven’t won a major trophy since the 2021 Champions League, but they will be strong favourites to win their first silverware since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over from Roman Abramovich three years ago.
Manchester United beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the Europa League on Thursday to complete an emphatic 7-1 aggregate semi-final victory, setting up a mouthwatering showpiece against Tottenham.
Fireworks crackled and red smoke filled an expectant Old Trafford following an impressive 3-0 win against 10-man Athletic in northern Spain last week.
But the air of excitement was tinged by the knowledge that Ruben Amorim’s United have shown a startling ability to implode during a horrendous Premier League season.
Amorim reverted to the team that started in the first leg, making eight changes following Sunday’s 4-3 defeat against Brentford.
Dani Vivian was suspended after his red card last week and coach Ernesto Valverde was also hamstrung by the absence of brothers Nico and Inaki Williams as well as top-scorer Oihan Sancet.
Mikel Jauregizar silenced the home fans and gave the visitors hope on the night with a stunning strike in the 31st minute.
For long periods of the match the visitors looked more dangerous but substitute Mason Mount settled the home supporters’ nerves with 18 minutes to go.
The match totally changed complexion as Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund and Mount again scored.
It means United have kept alive their hopes of eking something out of a terrible season.
Winning Europe’s second-tier club trophy crucially guarantees a place in the Champions League, which would boost United’s chances of attracting top talent as Amorim attempts a monumental rebuild.
United were heavy favourites to complete the job on home turf but injury-hit Athletic nursed a grievance after defender Vivian was sent off in Spain.
They enjoyed the bulk of the early possession but struggled to fashion clear-cut chances and looked nervous when the visitors attacked.
Athletic midfielder Alex Berenguer had a good early opportunity after the home side failed to clear but his curling shot sailed over the bar as he aimed for the top corner.
The midfielder created another chance after a surging run midway through the half but fired wide of Andre Onana’s post from just outside the area.
READ ALSO: Man Utd Have ‘Big Responsibility’ To Win Europa League — Amorim
United nerves
Manchester United’s English midfielder #07 Mason Mount (C) celebrates with Manchester United’s English defender #41 Harry Amass (R) and Manchester United’s English midfielder #37 Kobbie Mainoo (L) after scoring Manchester United’s fourth goal during the UEFA Europa League semi final second leg football match between Manchester United and Athletic Club Bilbao at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
But the visitors broke the deadlock in sensational style after half an hour to give themselves hope when Jauregizar picked his spot from outside the box and curled past Onana.
The goal came after some sloppy work from United’s defence. Harry Maguire played a ball across the box and Alvaro Djalo smashed a shot against Leny Yoro.
The ball fell to Jauregizar, who could not have hit the ball more sweetly.
United struggled for attacking rhythm but should have been level shortly before half-time.
The stadium held its breath as Alejandro Garnacho was put through by the lively Patrick Dorgu but his attempted dink over the goalkeeper went wide.
United offered little going forward in the early stages of the second half as Athletic made the running, forcing United to hack clear on multiple occasions.
Both teams made a triple change just after the hour mark. Shortly afterwards Unai Gomez headed the ball across the goal and it bounced just wide of the post.
Injury-hit Mount has been a peripheral figure in his two seasons at Old Trafford but produced a fine finish, swivelling and curling the ball into the far corner in the 72nd minute.
Casemiro scored a second with his head from a Bruno Fernandes cross as United’s earlier nerves were completely forgotten.
Hojlund poked home in the 85th minute before Mount scored an outrageous second from near the halfway line after Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala came out of his box and made a poor clearance.
United will face Tottenham in the final in Bilbao on May 21.
