NPR News: 04-21-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 21, 2025, 9AM EDT

NPR's "News Now" delivers the latest updates across the globe in a concise and engaging format. This episode covers significant events ranging from the passing of a beloved religious leader to escalating conflicts and local tragedies.

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Pope Francis Passes Away: A Nation Mourns

Timestamp: 00:17 – 04:36

Washington-based host Korva Coleman opens the episode with the somber news of Pope Francis's death at the age of 88. Pope Francis, the first Latin American head of the Catholic Church, is remembered fondly in his native Argentina as a compassionate leader advocating for the impoverished.

Reporter Carrie Kahn provides a heartfelt portrayal of the nation's grief. She describes a poignant scene where soldiers conduct a routine changing of the guard outside the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, once led by then-Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis's birth name.

Sandra Rodriguez, a 47-year-old resident, shares her admiration: "The Pope was a humble man, always with the poor people" (00:37). In contrast, Andrea Godoy, 51, expresses disappointment over the Pope's inability to return to Argentina amidst rising inequality: "There's no work here now, and inequality is growing. He never came back to see our suffering" (00:37). Kahn notes that before his hospitalization, Pope Francis had planned a visit to Argentina, which remains unfulfilled.

In a reiteration of the news, Korva Coleman emphasizes the global impact of the Pope’s passing, noting his last public appearance greeting well-wishers on Easter Sunday in St. Peter's Square (04:36).

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Russia Resumes Military Operations in Ukraine

Timestamp: 01:20 – 02:17

Transitioning to international affairs, Korva Coleman reports that Russia's Defense Ministry has resumed military operations in Ukraine post an unsuccessful Easter Day ceasefire. The Kremlin attributes the breakdown to President Vladimir Putin's decision against extending the unilateral truce.

Charles Maynes, reporting from Moscow, delves deeper into the situation. He states, "Russia's defense ministry acknowledged a lessening of intensity of Ukrainian military activity across the front line Easter Sunday, but still accused Kyiv of carrying out thousands of attacks on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine" (01:38). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky counters these claims, arguing that Russia only feigned a ceasefire while continuing aggressive actions: "Russia had created the impression of a ceasefire but continued artillery and assaults on the front lines" (01:38).

Despite international appeals, including from the Trump administration urging an extension of the truce, Russia has resumed airstrikes against Ukraine. The White House has expressed increasing frustration over the stagnation in U.S.-backed peace negotiations.

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Boston Marathon: Celebrations Amid Security Concerns

Timestamp: 02:17 – 03:06

Korva Coleman shifts focus to the local scene in Boston, where the annual Boston Marathon commences with the men's wheelchair division. The event, symbolizing resilience and community spirit, attracts thousands of participants and spectators alike.

In light of past threats, particularly the 2013 bombing, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Allen Davis addresses current security measures: "The FBI is not aware of any specific or credible threats targeting these events. That said, we are asking everyone to maintain a heightened state of vigilance, given that we are home to many patriotic and symbolic landmarks" (02:51). Davis assures that authorities remain on high alert to ensure the safety of all attendees.

Additionally, favorable weather conditions are forecasted, with sunny skies, calm winds, and temperatures reaching 61 degrees—ideal for the athletes.

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White House Denies Defense Secretary Shared Sensitive Information

Timestamp: 03:06 – 04:02

The episode also covers a contentious report involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The White House refutes a New York Times article claiming that Hegseth shared sensitive information regarding a military strike in Yemen through the encrypted messaging app Signal. An official statement asserts that the information disseminated was not classified, and NPR has not independently confirmed these allegations.

This revelation follows a prior incident where a journalist was inadvertently included in a similar conversation. The situation raises concerns about the handling of military communications at high levels of government.

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Florida State University Students Return Amid Trauma

Timestamp: 04:02 – 04:36

Shifting to a tragic local event, Regan McCarthy of WFSU reports on the return of students to Florida State University following a deadly shooting last week that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. The apprehension among students is palpable, with many feeling the return to campus is premature.

Junior nursing major Olivia Wishinski shares her personal experience: "I didn't want coming to class on Monday by myself to be the first time I came back to campus. So it was really helpful to just like be hugged by my mom just as I experienced all of that" (04:07). Wishinski recounts the harrowing moment during the attack when she heard gunshots while heading to her car.

In response, university officials are offering flexibility for students not yet ready to resume classes, aiming to support the community's healing process.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a day marked by both sorrow and resilience. From the global mourning of a spiritual leader and the intensification of international conflict to local celebrations shadowed by security concerns and the painful return of students to a traumatized campus, the news presents a multifaceted view of the current state of the world.

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For more updates and detailed reporting, visit NPR's official platforms.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Many in Argentina are remembering Pope Francis who died today at the age of 88. He was the first ever head of the Catholic Church. From Latin America. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports. Popped Pope Francis is fondly remembered in his home country as a defender of the poor.

[Carrie Kahn]

Soldiers do their routine changing of the guard ceremony outside Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral where then Jorge Mario Bergoglio served as Archbishop. Sandra Rodriguez, 47 years old, says the Pope was a humble man, always with the poor people. Her friend, 51 year old Andrea Godoy says she's disappointed though he never returned to Argentina. There's no work here now, she says, and inequality is growing and says he never came back to see our suffering. Before his lengthy hospitalization, Pope Francis had talked of plans to visit Argentina as early as this year. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Buenos Aires.

[Korva Coleman]

Russia's Defense Ministry says it has resumed military operations in Ukraine following an Easter Day ceasefire. The decision comes after the Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had not ordered an extension of the unilateral truce which struggled to hold. NPR's Charles Mainz has more from Moscow.

[Charles Maynes]

In a statement, Russia's defense ministry acknowledged a lessening of intensity of Ukrainian military activity across the front line Easter Sunday, but still accused Kyiv of carrying out thousands of attacks on Russian occupied territory in Ukraine. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky countered that Russia had created the impression of a ceasefire but continued artillery and assaults on the front lines. Yet with the formal end of the ceasefire window, Russia immediately resumed airstrikes on its neighbor. The renewal of attacks came despite appeals from the Trump administration to extend the truce, as the White House has expressed growing frustration over lack of progress in U. S. Backed peace talks. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Korva Coleman]

This year's Boston Marathon gets underway this hour. It begins with the men's wheelchair division. Thousands of people will participate, but thousands more will line Boston streets to cheer the racers. The event follows the Boston Celtics playoff games and the 250th commemoration over the weekend of the Revolutionary War period. Battles of Lexington and Concord in 2013, the Boston Marathon was targeted by bombers. Allen Davis is the FBI assistant special agent in charge in Boston. He says authorities have been on alert all weekend.

[Allen Davis]

The FBI is not aware of any specific or credible threats targeting these events. That said, we are asking everyone to maintain a heightened state of vigilance, given that we are home to many patriotic and symbolic landmarks.

[Korva Coleman]

Weather forecasters say today's sunny weather in Boston will be great for racers. Winds will be calm with a high of 61 degrees. This is NPR. The White House is denying a New York Times report that says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive information in a second chat in the messaging app Signal. The White House says the information was not classified. NPR has not confirmed the information. In the Times report, it said Hegseth shared information about a military strike in Yemen with family members and his lawyer. This comes after a different chat on the same topic included a journalist by mistake. Students in Florida State University are going back to class this morning. It's the first time since last week's deadly shooting on campus. Two people were killed and six others injured. From member station WFSU, Regan McCarthy reports. Some students say the return to the classroom feels too soon.

[Olivia Wishinski]

Olivia Wishinski spent Sunday afternoon walking through campus with her mom and sister because.

[Regan McCarthy]

I didn't want coming to class on Monday by myself to be the first time I came back to campus. So it was really helpful to just like be hugged by my mom just as I experienced all of that.

[Olivia Wishinski]

Again, the junior nursing major was in the Student union building when shots were fired. She says she heard them ringing out as she ran toward her car. For safety, university officials are offering flexibility for students who aren't yet ready to return. For NPR news, I'm Regan McCarthy in Tallahassee.

[Korva Coleman]

Again, our top story, the Vatican says that Pope Francis has died today in his papal residence. He had just been seen yesterday greeting well wishers who were celebrating easter Sunday in St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis was 88 years old. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.

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