NPR News Now: December 25, 2025, 11AM EST

Episode Overview

This brief news update captures key global and national stories on Christmas morning. Coverage includes the Pope’s Christmas message, severe weather in California, efforts to prevent airline travel meltdowns, new developments in the Jeffrey Epstein files, the enduring popularity of "Home Alone" as a holiday movie, and a historic Powerball jackpot win in Arkansas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pope Leo’s Historic Christmas Mass (00:16–01:21)

• Event: Pope Leo celebrated Christmas Day Mass at St. Peter's Basilica—the first time in over 30 years a pontiff has led this service.

• Call to Action: He urged compassion for the suffering, especially those affected by war and displacement.

  • Quote (Ruth Sherlock, 00:44):

    "He spoke of young people conscripted into militaries who on the front lines feel the senselessness of what is asked of them and the falsehoods that fill the pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths... peace is possible and urged people not to remain cold to people's suffering."

• Memorable Moment: The Pope emphasized that allowing others' pain to affect us is the beginning of peace.

  • Quote (Ruth Sherlock, 00:44):

    "When the fragility of others penetrates our hearts, when their pain shatters our rigid certainties, then peace has already begun."

2. Severe Weather Emergency in Southern California (01:21–02:15)

• Situation: Heavy rain and snow have hit Southern California, prompting Los Angeles to declare a state of emergency after floods, mudslides, and significant disruptions.

• Details:

  • LA Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom both declared states of emergency.
  • The National Weather Service warns continued danger from reinforcing storms, with more than 10 inches of mountain snowfall in some areas.
  • Quote (Ariel Cohn, 01:56):

    "We're going to see the flood waters be reinforced. Landslides, rock slides and mudslides all being reinforced across the area."

• Timeline: Storm conditions are expected through Friday.

3. Airlines Prepare for Busy Holiday Travel (02:15–03:10)

• Background: Airlines, especially Southwest, are intent on avoiding travel chaos reminiscent of the recent past.

• Changes:

  • Southwest’s CIO Lauren Woods highlights major investments in IT to facilitate rapid recovery from tech outages.
  • Quote (Lauren Woods, 02:48):

    "We may have a tech outage, but you care less about it if it's a five-minute recovery and I have many of those versus I had one major tech outage and it took me down for a day."

• Broader Context: Airlines are judged by how swiftly they can resume operations after disruptions.

4. DOJ’s Progress on Epstein Files Release (03:10–03:35)

• Update: The Justice Department is behind on a Congressional deadline to release Jeffrey Epstein-related files after discovering over a million additional records.
• Status: DOJ attorneys are reviewing the files and making necessary redactions, working "around the clock."

5. “Home Alone” Remains Top Christmas Movie (03:35–04:40)

• Highlight: According to Nielsen ratings, "Home Alone" is, once again, the most popular Christmas movie on TV and streaming, topping the charts three out of the last four Decembers.

  • Quote (Neta Ulaby, 03:55):

    "It's been the most watched holiday movie every December since 2021, except for last year when the prime video movie 'Red One' took the top spot."

• Other Notables: “Elf,” “Home Alone 2,” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” are also perennial favorites. “A Christmas Story” benefits from TBS/TNT’s 24-hour marathon. The debate over “Die Hard” as a Christmas movie continues, with it ranked #11 last year.

6. Powerball Jackpot Winner in Arkansas (04:40–04:55)

• Headline: A single ticket sold in Arkansas has won the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot—the second largest in U.S. history.
• Human Interest: Someone in Arkansas is waking up a billionaire on Christmas.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Pope Leo’s Message of Peace & Compassion

  • Ruth Sherlock (00:44):

    "Peace is possible and [he] urged people not to remain cold to people’s suffering..."

  • Ruth Sherlock (00:44):

    "When the fragility of others penetrates our hearts, when their pain shatters our rigid certainties, then peace has already begun."

• Severe Weather Warning

  • Ariel Cohn (01:56):

    “We’re going to see the flood waters be reinforced. Landslides, rock slides and mudslides all being reinforced across the area.”

• Southwest’s Holiday Tech Strategy

  • Lauren Woods (02:48):

    “You care less about it if it’s a five minute recovery... versus I had one major tech outage and it took me down for a day.”

• Christmas Movie Rankings

  • Neta Ulaby (03:55):

    “It’s been the most watched holiday movie every December since 2021, except for last year when the prime video movie 'Red One' took the top spot.”

Segment Timestamps

• 00:16: Pope Leo celebrates Christmas Day Mass & message on compassion
• 01:21: Southern California severe weather and emergency responses
• 02:15: Airlines update: Southwest’s tech strategy to avoid travel chaos
• 03:10: DOJ update on Epstein files release
• 03:35: "Home Alone" and the most-watched Christmas movies
• 04:40: Powerball jackpot winner announced in Arkansas

This episode synthesizes major Christmas morning headlines: spirituality and solidarity from the Vatican, urgent weather and travel logistics for millions, a developing federal investigation, a snapshot of holiday screen culture, and a life-changing lottery win.