"Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill Makes History as First Nationalist Leader of Northern Ireland"
Michelle O'Neill, a member of the Irish nationalist and democratic socialist party Sinn Féin, has become the first Catholic and Irish nationalist to lead Northern Ireland's government. Despite Sinn Féin's historical ties to Irish Catholics, the party is at odds with Church teaching on issues such as abortion and transgender rights. O'Neill's appointment comes after Sinn Féin won the plurality of Northern Ireland Assembly seats in 2022, and she has expressed a desire for Irish reunification, although her focus remains on addressing domestic issues.