Photos of the Week: 1/16 - 1/23

By KELSEY DRISCOLL

It was a busy week in news, so now that it's all over, take a moment to look back at some of the most memorable photos from the last seven days.

After delivering the State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Obama took off on a brief trip to Idaho and Kansas to promote his plan to assist working Americans in affording child care. During a stop at the Community Children's Center in Lawrence, Kansas, the President met 4-year-old student Akira Cooper and shared a sweet moment that was captured by a Getty photographer. The Community Children's Center is one of the country's oldest Head Start providers, providing care and assistance to children of working families.

In world news, several photos in this week's roundup came from Pope Francis' five day trip to the Philippines, including the unusual sights of the Pope in a bright yellow poncho, and of excited priests who couldn't resist grabbing their phones and snapping some photos prior to a mass. Elsewhere, Ukranian citizens dressed up as characters from Star Wars gathered on the beach to commemorate the Epiphany holiday.

Click through the gallery above to see photos from these stories and more, including ongoing conflicts and destruction in the Middle East, a selfie from Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, and how Spaniards celebrate the patron saint of domestic animals.

Be sure to check back next weekend for AOL.com's selection of the best photos from the next seven days.

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