NPR News Now: April 26, 2025

Pope Francis' Funeral in Rome

[00:25] Windsor Johnston reports on the solemn farewell to Pope Francis. A choir accompanied the procession of the wooden coffin to its final resting place at a basilica in Rome. The Vatican announced that over 250,000 mourners attended the funeral service in St. Peter's Square.

[00:55] Jason DeRose provides further details:

"Presidents and kings and princes of the church gathered to bid Francis farewell, also laity and clergy from around the world."
— Jason DeRose (00:55)

The Requiem Mass was traditionally sung in Latin but also included prayers in Chinese and Arabic, reflecting the church's global diversity. Following the ceremony, Francis Bari was transported across the Tiber River to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where a representative group of refugees, homeless individuals, the poor, and victims of violence witnessed his final journey.

President Trump Meets Ukrainian Leader at the Vatican

[01:37] Windsor Johnston covers a significant diplomatic encounter:

"President Trump held a brief discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican today."
— Windsor Johnston (01:37)

[01:52] Deepa Shivaram elaborates on the meeting:

"Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that the two sides should meet at high levels and finish off a deal."
— Deepa Shivaram (01:52)

This marks the first meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy since their February Oval Office encounter, which concluded with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance criticizing Zelenskyy before he left the White House abruptly. The discussion at the Vatican is part of ongoing efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine.

Texas Advances Statewide Private School Voucher Program

[02:10] Windsor Johnston reports on education policy developments in Texas:

"Legislation creating a statewide private school voucher program in Texas is heading to the governor's desk for his signature."
— Windsor Johnston (02:10)

[02:32] Blaze Gainey provides in-depth coverage: Since 2013, the Texas Senate has consistently passed voucher-like programs, but the House previously stalled these initiatives. Following a contentious primary that saw several Republicans who opposed the vouchers ousted, the bill successfully passed both chambers.

[02:53] Senator Brandon Creighton comments on the legislation:

"Here we are with a bigger bill serving more students, focusing on income vulnerable and special needs with more funding."
— Brandon Creighton (02:53)

[03:03] Blaze Gainey outlines the program's financial implications:

"Texas program at $1 billion will be the largest starting cost of such program, offering families education savings accounts, and it's expected to grow to nearly 4 billion by 2030."
— Blaze Gainey (03:03)

This initiative is poised to be the largest of its kind, potentially influencing similar efforts at the federal level.

Progress in Iran Nuclear Negotiations

[03:21] Windsor Johnston updates on international diplomacy:

"Talks aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program wrapped up for the day in Oman and may resume next week."
— Windsor Johnston (03:21)

Officials from Washington and Tehran are negotiating terms that could lead to the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran, signaling potential progress in the long-standing nuclear dispute.

Finnish Study Links Early Harmful Habits to Health Declines

[03:21] The segment also covers a significant health study:

"Researchers in Finland have found that harmful habits can cause health declines as early as the age of 36."
— Windsor Johnston (03:21)

[04:00] Terry Schultz details the research findings: A longitudinal study tracking over 300 residents born in 1959 in Uvaskula, Finland, examined health data at ages 27, 36, 42, 50, and 61. The study identified that behaviors such as smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity led to increased depression, lower psychological well-being, diminished self-perception of health, and elevated metabolic risk factors by age 36. Alcohol consumption had the most extensive negative impact.

"The researchers conclude that while any one of the risky behaviors contributes to diseases, disability and premature death, together they have a cumulative impact on public health that has not been sufficiently examined."
— Terry Schultz (04:00)

Ebola Outbreak Declared Over in Uganda

[04:45] Windsor Johnston reports on public health developments:

"Uganda says the latest outbreak of Ebola is over after 42 days of no new reported cases."
— Windsor Johnston (04:45)

Health officials confirmed that the last patients were discharged in March, marking this as the ninth Ebola outbreak in Uganda since 2000.

This summary is based on the NPR News Now episode released on April 26, 2025. For more detailed coverage, please refer to the full episode transcript.