From one angle, it looks like a homeless man sitting quietly on a bench. But as you walk around it, the figure transforms—suddenly, you’re face to face with an angel.

This is the powerful idea behind Be Welcoming, a life-size bronze sculpture by Timothy Schmalz, placed near St. Peter's Square. At first glance, the figure appears ordinary—someone in a hoodie with a backpack, the kind many might ignore in everyday life.

But movement changes everything. The backpack slowly becomes wings, the hood reshapes into flowing hair, and the entire identity of the figure shifts into something divine.

The bench beside the sculpture is left open on purpose, inviting anyone to sit next to it. And that simple act carries a deep message. Inspired by the biblical idea of welcoming strangers, the artwork reminds us that kindness and humanity often exist where we least expect them.

It challenges how we see others—especially those we overlook. Sometimes, compassion doesn’t require grand gestures. It can begin with something as simple as sitting beside someone, acknowledging their presence, and choosing empathy over indifference.

In Dubuque, barber Courtney Holmes came up with a heartwarming idea at a Back to School event . Instead of charging money, he offered free haircuts to kids who read aloud while sitting in his chair, even helping them sound out difficult words.

The initiative made reading fun and boosted kids’ confidence before school . Over 100 children participated, choosing books they enjoyed, and the inspiring story gained widespread attention for promoting learning in such a creative way .

This’ll work, trust me Bungie, I have a high school diploma

A MAGA merchandise shop in Crystal Lake, IL — a Chicago suburb — has shut down just months after opening, and the owner is pointing the finger directly at Trump’s deeply unpopular war with Iran.

Owner Lisa Fleischmann told the Chicago Tribune the collapse in sales was immediate: “It all started with the war. It was dead as a door nail the minute that happened.”

She says customers are afraid to even be seen in pro-Trump gear. “I think (customers) are unsure what’s going on… And if you wear it, they feel someone might come up to them and ask them questions.”

And no wonder — 59% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s job performance in a recent Fox News poll. An AP-NORC survey found 59% believe U.S. military action in Iran has gone too far — including 1 in 4 Republicans. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 56% of Americans expect the Iran war to hurt them financially, with only 7% saying it would help.

The conflict has already claimed 13 U.S. service members and over 1,000 Iranian civilians.
Fleischmann also noted sales cratered after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff rollout, which he reversed after crashing the markets.

She’s still holding out hope, but the writing is on the wall: when even MAGA diehards won’t wear the merch, something has gone very, very wrong.

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a scathing assessment of President Trump's leadership and legacy. Schwarzenegger, a Republican who has previously criticized Trump, declares the current president "a failed leader" and predicts he "will go down in history as the worst president ever."

The former actor-turned-politician employs modern social media terminology in his critique, comparing Trump's future relevance to "an old tweet" - suggesting that Trump's influence and significance will quickly fade into digital obscurity. This metaphor reflects how rapidly information cycles and public attention move in the contemporary media landscape.

Schwarzenegger's harsh judgment represents a continuation of his public opposition to Trump, despite both men sharing Republican Party affiliation. His prediction about Trump's historical standing places the current president at the bottom of presidential rankings, a particularly damning assessment from a fellow Republican.