The year 2025 brought both turmoil and triumph, creating unique stories that highlighted the resilience of individuals facing adversity. One of the year’s most surprising and symbolic events was the selection of the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV, who took a moment to call his brother shortly after his announcement on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Obed Lamy, a video journalist, captured this intimate moment, describing the nervousness as the family shared laughter and surprise.
In the face of global challenges, uplifting narratives unfolded across different communities. One poignant example was a wedding held in a church in the Philippines that, despite being flooded by a typhoon, saw couples pledge their vows. As grooms have stated, their spirit remained unbroken as they pressed forward to celebrate love and commitment.
In Seattle, when the Nobel Prize for medicine was announced, it fell to photojournalist Lindsey Wasson to inform Mary E. Brunkow of the honor before the official announcement reached her. The early morning news captivated a family still clothed in sleep, transitioning tension into elation as the realities of the news set in.
Further west, a youth theater group embarked on a remarkable journey to stage their musical in Southern California, even after their theater was ravaged by wildfire. The story of ‘Crazy for You’ became a testament to their dedication to bringing joy through performance, drawing on their collective resilience amidst personal loss.
2025 was indeed a year marked by difficulties, but these narratives remind us that hope and humanity thrive even in the hardest of times.
