A new pope, a mayoral victory and a drunk raccoon: Guardian US readers on their favorite news moments of 2025
There were some bright spots in a year of dark news stories – here are the ones that brought readers the most joy
2025 has been a trying year. From the devastating Los Angeles wildfires to mass federal layoffs in Washington DC to the assassination of the rightwing political activist Charlie Kirk, individuals of all walks of life have been affected by economic concerns, political division, climate change and beyond.
Still, there were bright spots in the darkness. We asked Guardian readers to share some of their favorite news moments of the year.
A new pope
Dan Cooper, an 81-year-old retired electrician in Casper, Wyoming, said Pope Leo XIV’s ascension to the papacy was a moment of celebration for him this year.
“I was a little worried about what would happen after Pope Francis,” he told the Guardian. “So I was very pleased when [the conclave] elected someone who would carry on the legacy of openness and forgiveness.”
In his first Sunday address, Pope Leo XIV called for an end to global conflicts and war, echoing pleas made by his predecessor. He acknowledged the plight of those suffering in Ukraine, as well as the need for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said. “Let everything possible be done to achieve genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible.”
Though Cooper himself is not Catholic, he feels aligned with many of the pope’s core values, as well as his willingness to criticize the Trump administration over its immigration policies. Pope Leo XIV wrote on X in October 2025 that “No one should be forced to flee, nor exploited or mistreated because of their situation as foreigners or people in need! Human dignity must always come first!”
Though he didn’t refer to the president explicitly, many saw the post as a critique of the Trump administration’s controversial ICE raids and crackdown on immigration, which have spurred protests throughout major cities in the US.
A cat’s journey
Another moment of joy this year came courtesy of a small, grey cat. Karen, a recently retired federal worker based in Maryland, chose the Latvian animated feature Flow’s Academy Award win as her favorite story of 2025. The film follows the journey of a cat who must find safety after its home is devastated by a flood, and features no dialogue.
The independent film beat out major studio blockbusters, including Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot. It also became the first Latvian film to ever win an Oscar.
“It was hopeful, but it was simple,” Karen told the Guardian. “It wasn’t like Disney in the way that you get the feeling everything’s gonna work out.”
She was especially heartened that a small film without the backing of a major studio could still make a big splash.
“I thought, ‘Maybe there’s still room for that kind of creativity,’ which made me happy.”
A mayoral victory
Many readers said that Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory in New York City was their favorite news story of the year. One New York-based reader wrote: “Meeting kind and thoughtful young people canvassing for Mamdani lifted my spirits … it was obvious that idealism and determination to change the world was alive and kicking.”
Another reader wrote that Mamdani’s win was “one of the only positive events in the US in the past few months”.
A drunk raccoon
While elections may prompt feelings of joy or despair depending on your views, there is one story this year that delighted readers across the political spectrum: the drunk raccoon.
If you don’t remember (but really, how could you forget?), a liquor store employee in Virginia discovered broken bottles and an apparently intoxicated raccoon sleeping on the store’s bathroom floor in November. The animal showed no signs of injury, according to local animal protection service. However, the agency guessed that the raccoon may have been grappling with “a hangover” and regret over “poor life choices”.
Not only can a story like this bring people together, but it can actually facilitate positive change. Merchandise commemorating the raccoon’s night of debauchery has raised a quarter of a million dollars for the local animal shelter that housed him after he was found.
The Hanover county animal protection teamed up with apparel maker Bonfire to make the most of the raccoon’s 15 minutes of fame. The shirts, sweatshirts, cups and stickers for sale contain the now infamous image of a raccoon spreadeagled next to a spilled booze bottle, as well as the words “Trashed Panda”.
“While this raccoon gave us all a much-needed laugh, our officers handle hundreds of calls each year involving wildlife, stray animals, and emergencies requiring specialized training and equipment,” said a message from the shelter on Bonfire’s website.
“Your support helps us continue providing compassionate, professional service to both animals and residents of Hanover county.”
Bill Combs, a retired professor based in Bryce Mountain, Virginia, felt something akin to unity seeing the world’s collective reaction to the inebriated creature.
“The news coverage has been heart-warming,” he wrote. “We’re still capable of that, it seems.”