In a year marked by significant global challenges, the strength of the human spirit shined brightly through various uplifting stories from 2025. One of the most heartwarming moments unfolded when John Prevost, brother of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, answered a phone call from his sibling after the papal announcement. Obed Lamy, a video journalist, was present to capture this poignant family reunion.
As they braced for the unexpected call, Prevost humorously worried about how their conversation might play out, to which Lamy recalled, "I was shaking because I didn’t know what the pope would say.” The exchange was filled with kindness, revealing that even the most elevated positions come with uncertainty and familial warmth.
Additionally, as dawn broke in Seattle on a brisk October morning, photographer Lindsey Wasson arrived at the home of scientist Mary E. Brunkow to bring her the life-changing news of her Nobel Prize win in medicine. Despite the early hour, it was a moment that could not wait. Brunkow's husband waking her to share the news filled their home with joy and disbelief, as Ross told his wife excitedly, “It’s really happening!” The emotional whirlwind of receiving such prestigious recognition was documented intimately through Wasson’s lens.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, photographer Aaron Favila rushed to cover a wedding at a church marred by floods from a disastrous typhoon. Interviewing the couple amid the water-soaked decor, they insisted that their love and commitment would not be washed away by nature's wrath. “This is just one of the struggles that we’ve overcome,” said the groom, highlighting the endless resilience of love even in dire circumstances.
Lastly, youth theater in Southern California also refused to bow to adversity as many cast members lost their homes to a wildfire. Their director Lara Ganz led the group in their first performance post-fire, reminding the kids of the importance of continuing to express themselves. Witnessing their joyful production, a parent described it as a “light in the darkness,” proving that creativity can triumph in challenging times.
