Pope Leo XIV returned to the balcony where he was introduced to the world, for a historic first Sunday address as the first American pontiff. The pope called for ceasefires in Gaza and Ukraine. In a meeting earlier with the College of Cardinals, Leo said he would follow Pope Francis' legacy of synodality, caring for the poor and rejected and dialogue with the modern world. NBC's Anne Thompson reports for Sunday TODAY. Russian President Vladimir Putin is calling for direct peace talks in the war he started with Ukraine more than three years ago. His proposal comes after world leaders met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and threatened Russia with sanctions. President Donald Trump welcomed the announcement, calling it "potentially a great day for Russia and Ukraine." NBC's Keir Simmons reports for TODAY. Negotiators for the U.S. and China met in Switzerland for a second day of de-escalating a trade war between the two countries. President Donald Trump said online that the meeting was "very good" and "great progress made!" NBC's Yamiche Alcindor reports for Sunday TODAY. Residents in the Southeast are bracing for potential aftershocks a day after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake outside of Knoxville, Tennessee rattled homes and business. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has announced Junior Alvarado, the jockey who rode Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty has been fined $62,000 for striking the horse too many times during the race. Sovereignty's owners say Alvarado will not run in the second leg of the triple crown, the Preakness Stakes. When Pope Leo XIV was announced as the new pope, Catholics in the United States and his hometown of Chicago celebrated having one of their own lead the church. After the announcement, there were hours of speculation in the city over which baseball team the new pope supported before his family confirmed he is White Sox loyal. NBC's Shaquille Brewster reports in this week's Sunday Focus on Pope Leo's journey from Chicago to the Vatican where he's become the new leader of the Catholic Church. 

Russia launched some 367 drones and missiles at about 30 cities through Ukraine in its largest aerial attack on the country in the more than three-years-long war. At least 12 people have been killed, including three children and hundreds more injured. NBC's Matt Bradley reports for Sunday TODAY. President Donald Trump delivered the commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point, slamming previous administrations for military interventions around the world as dozens gathered near the campus to protest. Meanwhile, former President Joe Biden was seen publicly for the first time since announcing that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. NBC's Yamiche Alcindor reports for Sunday TODAY. Millions of Americans are braving a busy Memorial Day travel weekend after severe weather slammed parts of the South with damaging storms over Oklahoma, heavy winds, rain and even hail seen as far south as Florida. This holiday weekend could set a record for Memorial Day travel with AAA predicting 45 million people on the move. NBC's Ryan Chandler reports for Sunday TODAY. Authorities are still searching for five of the ten New Orleans inmates who broke out of jail last weekend. According to court records, up to nine people have been arrested and charged with either assisting in the initial escape or helping the inmates once out. Officials say the escapees may be reaching out to family and friends for help as the list of alleged accomplices grows. NBC's Priscilla Thompson reports for Sunday TODAY. Five years ago today, the arrest and subsequent death of a 46-year-old man named George Floyd sparked protests across the country and calls for police reform to shift how America views race and policing. NBC's Shaquille Brewster reports in this week's Sunday Focus on how the national movement to reform policing is now at a crossroads. Five years ago today, the arrest and subsequent death of a 46-year-old man named George Floyd sparked protests across the country and calls for police reform to shift how America views race and policing. NBC's Shaquille Brewster reports in this week's Sunday Focus on how the national movement to reform policing is now at a crossroads. Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist shares a message of support to TODAY's Sheinelle Jones and her family after the loss of her husband Uche Ojeh. Willie says "We came to know Uche over the years as a charming, smart, faithful and humble man with a radiant smile to match Sheinelle's."