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MATTHEW LYNCH, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

After two short days, the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope, Robert Francis Prevost, who will henceforth be known as Leo XIV. The American, a big first, seems as if he will continue the Church on the path of reform set by his predecessor, Pope Francis, and, as Vanity Fair Italia’s Chiara Pizzimenti reports, Leo XIV said in his first message, “I would like peace to reach your families, all peoples, the whole earth.” Hard to argue with that. Elsewhere in today’s newsletter, we excerpt Molly Jong-Fast’s memoir about growing up the daughter of a literary celebrity in the days when those two descriptors didn’t look so funny next to each other. It’s a sharply observed and deeply personal piece about her mother, Erica Jong. It also, for my money, comes with an early contender for lede of the year: “My mother coined an expression for casual sex: the ‘zipless fuck.’ Now think about being the offspring of the person who wrote that phrase. And pour one out for me.” Back tomorrow—in all likelihood not bearing news of a new pontiff. The Long Goodbye BY MOLLY JONG-FAST I began writing this book when my glamorous mother started disappearing. It’s a memoir about how to be brave and survive the world between being a parent and child. This is very much the story of what happens in the middle of your life.

Inspired by a year of magical thinking, I wrote a book about the worst year of my life. I think people can relate to being a parent and a child, being both young and also incredibly old. I wanted to explain how you can get through anything. I wanted people to know you can get sober at 19 and stay sober. I wanted to write a kind of playbook for when everything seems unworkable, unsurvivable, unliveable. I hope people read this book and see you can get through anything. READ MORE

Read All About It CHURCH AND THE UNITED STATES Meet Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the New Pope BY CHIARA PIZZIMENTI The new pontiff’s story will likely resonate with and unite the entire American continent, which has the largest number of Catholics. READ MORE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS Deconstructing Trump’s Elaborate Oval Office Makeover BY KEZIAH WEIR  The president’s new interiors and “let them eat cake” mentality are drawing comparisons to the court of Versailles, but art historian Robert Wellington sees a more complicated connection. READ MORE HINDSIGHT IS 2024? Joe Biden Still Thinks He Could Have Won in 2024 BY ERIC LUTZ About that debate: “I had a bad, bad night,” Biden maintained. READ MORE

Girl of the Year How Jane Holzer Helped Andy Warhol Reach a New Level of Fame BY LAURENCE LEAMER In June 1964, Andy Warhol attended a party at the home of Jane and Leonard Holzer who lived in a 12-room apartment at 955 Park Avenue with a maid, a butler, a Yorkshire terrier, and a toy poodle. Warhol had always been intrigued by female fashion, and 23-year-old Jane Holzer wore designer clothes and had a distinctive style that was all her own. With a long, abrupt face that, at unguarded moments, looked haunted, Holzer possessed a distinctive, arresting look. Holzer was attractive, yes, but her glory was her magnificent hair—an enveloping golden mane reminiscent of the MGM lion’s, a splendid statement that announced her presence to the world. Holzer was much more than simply pretty. She had presence. Needless to say, Warhol saw an opportunity.  In an excerpt from his new book, Warhol’s Muses, Laurence Leamer chronicles the transformation of “Baby Jane” from a Park Avenue princess to an icon of downtown cool. READ MORE

But Wait, There’s More Which Conclave Character Is the New Pope Most Like? Now that the white smoke has billowed, VF answers the most important question of all. Lea Michele Addresses Illiteracy Rumors “It’s so sad and so frustrating,” said the Glee star. It Was a Full House of Windsors for VE Day Kate, Will, and many more joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace afterward to meet veterans for a tea party.