A New Pope, A Mayoral Upset and a Drunk Raccoon: Guardian US Readers’ Brightest 2025 Moments

2025 was a difficult year for many: devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, large federal layoffs in Washington, D.C., and episodes of political violence that left readers anxious. Yet Guardian US asked its audience to name the news moments that lifted their spirits — and answers ranged from solemn calls for peace to small, absurd stories that brought people together.

Election of Pope Leo XIV

For Dan Cooper, an 81-year-old retired electrician in Casper, Wyoming, the election of Pope Leo XIV was a moment of relief and hope. In his first Sunday address the new pope renewed appeals for global peace, acknowledged the suffering in Ukraine and pressed for a ceasefire in Gaza.

"I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people. Let everything possible be done to achieve genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible," Pope Leo XIV said.

Cooper, who is not Catholic, said he was heartened by the pope’s emphasis on openness and forgiveness. In October 2025 the pontiff wrote: "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!" Many readers read the statement as a rebuke of harsher immigration enforcement and high-profile ICE raids that spurred protests in several U.S. cities.

Small Film, Big Win: Flow's Oscar Surprise

Karen, a recently retired federal employee in Maryland, picked the Latvian animated film Flow as her standout story after it won an Academy Award. The dialogue-free feature follows a cat searching for safety after a devastating flood and beat major studio contenders such as Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot, becoming the first Latvian film to 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."

Readers celebrated the win as evidence that independent, small-scale creativity can still have global impact.

Zohran Mamdani's Mayoral Victory in New York City

Many readers cited Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory as a particularly uplifting moment. One New Yorker recalled being inspired by thoughtful young volunteers canvassing for Mamdani, saying their idealism and determination "lifted my spirits." Another called the win "one of the only positive events in the US in the past few months."

The Drunk Raccoon That United People (and Raised Funds)

Perhaps the story that bridged the widest political divide was the far less serious saga of a reportedly intoxicated raccoon in Virginia. In November a liquor-store employee found broken bottles and an apparently drunk raccoon sleeping on the store bathroom floor. Animal-protection officers said the animal showed no visible injuries and lightheartedly suggested it might be suffering from "a hangover" and regret over "poor life choices."

The episode spawned a wave of public amusement and fundraising: Hanover County Animal Protection partnered with apparel maker Bonfire to sell shirts, sweatshirts, cups and stickers bearing the now-famous image of the sprawled raccoon and the slogan "Trashed Panda." Merchandise sales raised about $250,000 for the shelter that cared for the animal.

"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," the shelter said. "Your support helps us continue providing compassionate, professional service to both animals and residents of Hanover County."

Taken together, readers’ selections reflected a year of stark challenges but also moments of consolation: religious leadership calling for peace, a small film achieving global recognition, grassroots political energy, and an oddly wholesome viral story that raised funds for animal welfare. For many, these stories restored a sense that, despite hard times, small moments of unity and hope remain possible.