Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan has launched a global hotline inviting the public to confess their sins to mark the 21st anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. The project, which may coincide with April Fools' Day, culminates in a livestreamed event on April 23 where Cattelan intends to perform a secular act of absolution. Other major developments include a federal judge halting construction on a controversial White House ballroom and the death of British illustrator Glen Baxter at age 82.
These stories highlight the intersection of art, provocation, and institutional accountability. Cattelan’s project revisits his career-long engagement with religious iconography, while the investigation into Mucem director Pierre-Oliver Costa and protests in Slovakia over cultural funding cuts reflect ongoing tensions regarding leadership ethics and state support for the arts globally.