Apple News Today: April 21, 2025

Hosted by Shemitah Basu

The Passing of Pope Francis: A Modernizing Legacy

Pope Francis Dies at 88

In a significant religious and global event, Pope Francis passed away early morning at the age of 88, as announced by the Vatican. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis was notable for being the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pontiff, and the first non-European to lead the Catholic Church in nearly a millennium. Elected in 2013, he was celebrated for his efforts to modernize the papacy and make the Church more inclusive and merciful.

Legacy and Reforms

Joshua McElwee, Vatican correspondent for Reuters, highlighted Francis's "gregarious" and "outgoing" style and his dedication to opening the Church to the modern world. McElwee noted, “He had a style that was very gregarious, very outgoing, and was really known for wanting to open up the church to the modern world” (01:33).

Francis was often referred to as the "people's pope" due to his approachable demeanor and progressive stances on various issues. He advocated for the Vatican to evolve its positions on contentious topics such as abortion, birth control, and homosexuality, emphasizing mercy over strict orthodoxy. For instance, when discussing his approach to LGBTQ members, McElwee stated, “He also was someone who had a reputation for being humble... they might be thought of as a grandfather or an uncle” (04:00).

Impact on Climate and Immigration

Francis was a vocal advocate for addressing climate change and supporting immigrants. He openly criticized world leaders for insufficient action on climate issues and took decisive steps by addressing sensitive political topics, including countering President Trump's deportation rhetoric. In a letter to US Bishops, Francis emphasized, “migrants are not necessarily criminals. They are people who are seeking a better life” (02:58).

His stance on international conflicts, such as the war in Gaza, further solidified his reputation as a compassionate and proactive leader, maintaining near-daily contact with a parish in the Gaza Strip and calling for investigations into potential genocidal actions by Israel.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Controversial Use of Signal

Second Signal Chat Raises Security Concerns

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has come under scrutiny for sharing sensitive military information via the Signal app in a second group chat. CNN's Senior White House Reporter Kevin Liptak detailed the issue, noting similarities between this second chat and a previous one discovered a month ago, which included flight schedules for fighter jets targeting Houthi rebels (05:04).

Unusual Group Composition

The primary concern revolves around the composition of the second group, which included Hegseth's wife, brother, and personal attorney—individuals whose need for access to such sensitive information is unclear. Liptak raised questions about Hegseth's competence in managing the Pentagon, especially amid ongoing global tensions and internal chaos within the Department of Defense (06:40).

Departmental Turmoil and Leadership Issues

The Defense Department has experienced significant upheaval, including the resignation of former spokesperson John Elliott, who described the past month as a “full blown meltdown” due to leaks and dysfunction (07:05). Sabrina Singh, former Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, criticized Hegseth's immediate purge of senior leadership, stating, “Nothing about this is normal” (07:58). Contrarily, a Defense Department spokesperson denied that Hegseth shared any classified information, and a White House press person minimized the significance of the second chat.

Broader Implications for Government Security

In a related matter, the Washington Post reported that officials from both the Trump and Biden administrations inadvertently shared sensitive documents via Google Drive, highlighting ongoing cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the federal government. A security expert commented that this incident “indicates a general need to strengthen safety training measures for government workers who must live and work in a digital age” (06:40).

Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling on Deportations Under the Alien Enemies Act

Overnight Decision Halts Trump’s Deportation Plans

In a rare overnight decision, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against the Trump administration’s use of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport a group of migrants in Texas without due process (05:32). Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, with Alito criticizing the rushed nature of the ruling, stating it was “neither necessary nor appropriate” (05:32).

Legal and Humanitarian Implications

The case involved migrants allegedly affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Trender Aragua, who were being deported to El Salvador’s harshest prisons. The ACLU contended that the migrants were not properly informed or given the option to contest their deportation, violating Supreme Court precedent on providing reasonable time for appeals (08:30).

Judicial Challenges and Administrative Maneuvers

Legal battles continue as attorneys for the migrants face challenges filing emergency orders across various jurisdictions. Joyce Vance, MSNBC Legal Affairs Correspondent, explained, “Ultimately, the Supreme Court will have to decide the Alien Enemies act issue for once and for all” (11:34). Meanwhile, disruptions persist as migrants are being moved between jurisdictions to evade court-imposed bans, leading to a fragmented and chaotic legal landscape.

Administrative Response and Future Proceedings

In response to the Supreme Court ruling, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt expressed confidence in the administration’s stance on immigration, stating, “the administration is confident it will prevail” (12:16). The ongoing legal disputes signal a prolonged and contentious process as the judiciary seeks to finalize the applicability of the Alien Enemies Act in modern immigration policy.

Additional Stories

Google Faces Antitrust Scrutiny

Google returned to court for the final phase of a major antitrust lawsuit, with the Justice Department arguing that Google’s dominance in online advertising technology constitutes illegal monopoly behavior. A judge previously ruled against Google, a decision the company intends to appeal, emphasizing its contention that superior ad tech tools justify its market position.

Israeli Military Investigates Gaza Incident

The Israeli military is reviewing an incident from March 23, where 15 emergency responders were killed in Gaza. The military acknowledged professional failures and announced the dismissal of a commander involved. Contrarily, the Palestine Red Crescent Society condemned the killings as potential war crimes, citing discrepancies in Israel’s account.

Boston Marathon Celebrates Wheelchair Racing Milestone

Marking its 50th anniversary, the Boston Marathon celebrated Bob Hall, the first wheelchair competitor, who completed the race two minutes under the required time despite using less efficient equipment. This pioneering effort paved the way for nearly 1,900 wheelchair athletes, including Paralympic champion Tatiana McFadden, who credits Hall for their successes (12:16).

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