Canadians are holding parliamentary elections today to determine who will lead their government: the Liberal Party under Prime Minister Mark Carney, a former banker, or the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, a career politician on the party’s right.

One issue has consumed voters: President Trump. His tariff attack on Canada and his repeated calls for the annexation of the country as the 51st state have dominated the race.

To learn about what’s at stake, we reached out to Matina Stevis-Gridneff, our Canada bureau chief.

What are the biggest issues in the elections?

Canadians are thinking about the economy, and about Trump. The two are, to a great degree, intertwined: Canada’s economy is in a relatively weak spot as it’s getting hit by tariffs. Some voters want to punish the Liberal Party, which has been in charge for the past decade, and hold it accountable for leaving the country in a weakened spot.

Those voters are likely to cast a ballot for the Conservative Party. The Conservatives are promising change, smaller government, tax cuts and deregulation. But other voters — and polls suggest they may be the majority — are predominantly worried about how Canada stands up to the U.S. This relates to tariffs, but it extends beyond the purely economic, to the political and even existential spheres, given that Trump has threatened to annex Canada.

Voters motivated by that mind-set are likelier to pick the Liberal Party. Mark Carney is a seasoned international economic policymaker and private-sector executive, and his experience in economic turmoil has led many Canadians to believe he’s the right person to trust in this crisis.

What will you be watching for on Election Day, and what has stood out for you so far?

I’ll be looking to see if the Liberals win, as polls are predicting, and if they can secure a majority government. For me that will indicate that Trump is a potent factor in the politics of America’s allies, who are all reeling by the change of policy and attitude in the White House.

The sharp reversal of fortunes for the Liberal Party which, until early this year, seemed poised to face a crushing defeat, has been stunning to watch. And in that context, the rise of Carney from elite economist to prime minister in the blink of an eye, and with no previous political experience, has been really surprising.

Results: Most polls will close at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time today, and results will most likely come later in the evening. Here’s what else to know.

Introduction to Pope Francis

Pope Francis’ life took him from a modest upbringing in Buenos Aires to lead the Roman Catholic Church as the first Jesuit pontiff and the first from Latin America. Across his 12 years as pope, Francis consistently elevated the causes of migrants and the disenfranchised, and pushed the church to more forcefully confront its own history of scandal.

Early Life

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires. His parents were immigrants from Italy, and he was the eldest of five siblings. As a boy, he was intelligent, deeply religious and loved to dance the tango.

A Calling to the Priesthood

When he was 16, Jorge was rushing to meet friends but paused at the Basilica of St. Joseph in Buenos Aires, feeling an urge to go inside. In the sanctuary, it felt as though “someone grabbed me from inside,” he said, adding, “Right there I knew I had to be a priest.” He later joined a seminary.

Road to the Papacy

Ordination

After 13 years of study, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained as a priest in 1969.

A Jesuit Leader

Father Bergoglio became the head of the Jesuits, an order of priests, in Argentina in 1973. At the time, the country was in the throes of a “dirty war,” when the ruling military junta tortured, killed or “disappeared” as many as 30,000 people.

Exile and Redemption

Father Bergoglio’s tenure as head of the Jesuits ended in controversy, with critics accusing him of having an autocratic management style. Church authorities sent him into de facto exile in Frankfurt, Germany, and then to Córdoba, Argentina, in 1979. However, his exile was interrupted when he was unexpectedly named an auxiliary bishop of the Buenos Aires diocese in 1992.

The Papacy

Election as Pope

Francis was elected pontiff after Pope Benedict XVI resigned, citing health concerns, in 2013. Francis tried to move the church away from divisive issues such as abortion and homosexuality, instead focusing on climate change, poverty and migration.

Addressing Sex Abuse

Francis established a commission to address the church’s clerical sexual-abuse scandals in 2014. It included victims of abuse and sought to hold bishops accountable, but the effort eventually fell apart.

Environmental Advocacy

Francis released “Laudato Si,” the first papal encyclical focused solely on the environment, in 2015. It called for protecting the environment and denounced the excesses of global capitalism in exploiting the poor.

Later Years and Legacy

A Push to Protect Minors

Francis issued the church’s most comprehensive response in decades to the sexual abuse crisis in 2019. It obligated church officials worldwide to report cases of sexual abuse, and efforts to cover them up, to their superiors.

An Effort to Include Women

Francis for the first time held a meeting of world bishops that included women and lay people as voting members in 2023. The synod broached some of the most sensitive topics in the church, including the role of women, celibacy and the marital status of priests.

Conclusion

Pope Francis died on Monday at 7:35 a.m., leaving a legacy of inclusion and activism, having often spoken in support of migrants, the marginalized and the environment. He had wrestled serious health issues in the preceding months, including a severe respiratory infection that had sent him to the hospital for weeks. Despite the challenges he faced, Francis remained committed to his values of compassion, justice, and mercy, inspiring countless people around the world.

The Passing of a Humble Leader

The world is mourning the loss of Pope Francis, and the Roman Catholic Church is preparing for his funeral, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of mourners. The event will be a significant one, with world leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, in attendance.

Lying in State

Pope Francis’s body has been lying in state at St Peter’s Basilica since Wednesday, allowing the faithful to pay their respects. This period of mourning has given people the opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of the Pope, who was known for his humble and simple approach to his role.

A Modest Burial

Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis requested a more modest burial. In 2024, he changed the longstanding burial rules that required three coffins, instead opting for a single coffin made of wood and lined with zinc. This change reflects his commitment to simplicity and humility, values that he embodied throughout his life.

A New Tradition

Pope Francis’s coffin will be transferred to the Basilica of St Mary Major, a church outside the Vatican’s walls, where he will be buried in a simple tomb in the ground. This will be the first time a pope has been buried outside the Vatican in over 100 years, and it marks a significant departure from tradition.

A Life of Humility

Pope Francis was known for his humble lifestyle, choosing to live in the Vatican guest house rather than the lavish Apostolic Palace. He also often traveled in modest vehicles, preferring to connect with ordinary people rather than seeking luxury and comfort. According to Massimo Faggioli, a professor of Theology and Religious Studies, "He always was more enthusiastic about going places where normal people lived, not the halls of power, the palaces and so on. That was very typical of him."

Financial Considerations

The Vatican has been tight-lipped about the cost of Pope Francis’s funeral, but it is likely to be significantly less than those of his predecessors. Historically, papal funerals have cost millions of dollars, but Pope Francis’s commitment to simplicity and humility is expected to be reflected in the arrangements. The Vatican is facing significant financial challenges, including a budget shortfall of $87 million last year, and the cost of the funeral will likely be a fraction of what it would have been in the past.

Crowds Gather in Rome

The city of Rome is already crowded due to Holy Week, and the funeral is expected to draw even more people. Hotels are fully booked, and tens of thousands have already paid their respects to the Pope. While it is unclear how many people will attend the funeral, it is likely to be a significant event, with people coming from all over the world to mourn the passing of a remarkable leader.

Conclusion

Pope Francis’s passing marks the end of an era, and his funeral will be a significant event that will be remembered for years to come. His commitment to humility and simplicity has inspired millions, and his legacy will continue to be felt long after he is gone. As the world says goodbye to this remarkable leader, it is clear that his impact will be lasting, and his memory will be cherished by people of all faiths and backgrounds.