NPR News Now – April 22, 2025, 8 AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Source: NPR
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

Passing of Pope Francis and Global Tributes

Timestamp: [00:16]
Korva Coleman opens the episode with poignant news about the death of Pope Francis. The Vatican announced that the late Pope Francis succumbed to a stroke and cardiac ailments on April 21, 2025. In the wake of his passing, the Holy See has scheduled his body’s transfer to St. Peter's Basilica for the following day, April 22.

Roman Catholic cardinals are preparing for the conclave, a private meeting set to begin within the next 20 days in the Sistine Chapel, to elect the next pope.

Global Impact and Personal Stories:

Jason DeRose reports on the heartfelt tributes pouring in from around the world, highlighting Pope Francis's resonance with younger Catholics through his advocacy for the poor, environmental stewardship, and peace.

At St. Monica's Catholic Church in Santa Monica, California, Daniel Trinh, a 29-year-old active member, shares his personal journey influenced by Pope Francis:

Timestamp: [00:54]
Marc Vanderhoo: “Just the fact that he picked Francis as his St. Francis, he was born very rich, but he gave up everything so that he could help those who were in need.”

Trinh explains, “[...] Pope Francis led me to think about the kind of person I wanted to be, a person who lives out his faith in loving service to others” [01:06]. This sentiment underscores Francis's enduring legacy in inspiring individuals to embrace service and humility.

Harvard University Sues Trump Administration Over Funding Freeze

Timestamp: [01:16]
In a significant development in higher education and politics, Harvard University has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The administration had previously frozen billions in federal funding to Harvard, demanding the right to audit the university's hiring processes and its recognition of student groups accused of anti-Semitism.

Harvard's Stance:

Kirk Karapeza from member station GBH outlines Harvard's response, stating, “Harvard says the funding freeze is retaliatory and baseless. Its lawsuit argues there's no rational link between real antisemitism concerns on campus and life-saving research funding” [01:50].

Harvard's President, in a message to the community, emphasized the severity and potential long-term impact of the government’s actions, asserting that the measures taken are unfounded and punitive.

ICE Detention Case: Mahmoud Khalil Misses Birth of First Child

Timestamp: [02:09]
Adrian Florido reports on a distressing case involving Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student facing deportation due to his pro-Palestinian activism. Despite his wife's labor on April 21, Khalil remains detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Louisiana.

Khalil’s legal representative, Marc Vanderhoo, expressed frustration: “He had certainly hoped and expected that the government would show some humanity, but they did not” [02:58].

Khalil was apprehended in New York the previous month and has since been held in a remote detention center, awaiting the outcome of a federal lawsuit challenging his arrest as unconstitutional. His family and legal team remain hopeful for his release in the near future, though as of the report, the request for temporary release to attend his child's birth was denied [03:05].

Global Financial Leaders Address Trump's Tariffs at World Bank and IMF Meeting

Timestamp: [03:11]
Financial leaders convene in Washington for the annual spring meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A primary agenda is President Trump's recent imposition of tariffs, which are anticipated to significantly influence the IMF's economic forecast set for release today.

Impact on Global Shipping:

DHL, a major global shipping company, announced it will cease shipping packages valued over $800 to the United States, attributing the decision to the 10% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration [03:11]. This policy affects all DHL shipments sent from foreign countries to recipients in the U.S., citing that the tariffs are causing delays and slowing down delivery times.

Earth Day Celebrations Highlight Sustainable Initiatives

Timestamp: [03:11]
Celebrations for Earth Day are in full swing across the United States. NPR's Alina Hartunian interviews representatives from two innovative online networks focused on sustainability and combating climate change.

Buy Nothing Project:

Lizelle Clark, co-founder of the Buy Nothing project, discusses the initiative's mission to reduce plastic waste and promote a circular economy through sharing and reusing goods:

Timestamp: [04:06]
Lizelle Clark: “The Buy Nothing project started with a question. How do you curb plastic waste of the three Rs?”

She explains that the movement encourages members to share items ranging from bread tags to sofas, thereby minimizing the need to purchase new products and keeping discarded items out of landfills. The project emphasizes a lifestyle shift towards sustainability.

GardenExchanges.com:

Daphane Weaver, founder of Arizona-based GardenExchanges.org, introduces a network of neighborhood plant stands enabling residents to exchange plants, seeds, and gardening supplies:

Timestamp: [04:12]
Daphane Weaver: “It's nice to just be able to bike down to your neighborhood stand, get your books, get your plants, and share what you have.”

This initiative not only fosters community spirit but also supports sustainable gardening practices by facilitating the free exchange of plant-related resources.

Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [04:48]
Korva Coleman wraps up the broadcast, summarizing the day's major news stories ranging from global religious leadership transitions and significant legal battles in higher education to pressing immigration issues and impactful sustainability efforts celebrated on Earth Day.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the informative aspects of the broadcast.