India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban

Summary

Up First from NPR – May 7, 2025

NPR’s Up First delivers the essential news to kickstart your day, featuring in-depth reporting and analysis on the three biggest stories. In this episode, hosts Emmy Martinez and Michelle Martin explore the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan, the commencement of the papal conclave to select the next Pope, and the Supreme Court’s decision on the transgender military ban. Here’s a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

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1. Escalation in India-Pakistan Conflict

Overview: The episode opens with a critical examination of the recent military actions between India and Pakistan. India launched multiple airstrikes across Pakistani territory, marking the most extensive conflict between the two nations in over five decades. In response, Pakistan retaliated with strikes in Kashmir, a region disputed by both countries.

Key Details:

• Initial Strikes: On May 7, 2025, India conducted numerous airstrikes targeting what it described as militant training camps and terror infrastructure within Pakistan, particularly in the Pakistani-held areas of Kashmir. Michelle Martin reports, “India struck multiple targets across Pakistan in the most extensive strikes in more than 50 years” [03:24].

• Pakistan’s Retaliation: Pakistan responded by firing into Kashmir, claiming to have downed five Indian aircraft. The Associated Press reports over 30 casualties in Pakistan compared to three on the Indian side [03:24].

On-the-Ground Insights:

• Diya Hadid, NPR’s correspondent in Mumbai, provides firsthand accounts of the strikes, illustrating the chaos and fear experienced by residents. At [04:00], Diya recounts how multiple explosions shook homes: “Not just one blast. There were a number of blasts, so windows were shaking.”

• Ajaz Rao, reporting on the situation, emphasizes the severity and depth of India’s strikes, noting they are the deepest into Pakistani territory since 1971. He mentions, “The airstrikes that India has launched into Pakistan are the deepest into Pakistani territory since 1971” [05:26].

Analysis and Reactions:

• Strategic Intentions: Analysts suggest that India’s military response was expected and understood as a measured and non-escalatory move, despite the scale. Ajaz Rao explains, “After the strikes, the Indian military said its response was measured, focused and non-escalatory” [05:44].

• Potential for Further Escalation: There is concern that Pakistan may feel compelled to respond further to demonstrate military strength. The International Crisis Group advises, “Other countries have to step in” to prevent continued escalation [06:40]. Diya Hadid warns, “If the international community doesn't step in, especially the U.S. then we are only seeing the beginning of these escalatory strikes” [06:49].

Government Responses:

• U.S. Position: President Trump expressed hope for a swift resolution, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated close monitoring of the situation [06:58].

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2. Papal Conclave Commences in Vatican City

Overview: The episode transitions to the Vatican, where 133 cardinal electors have convened to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church in the beginning of the papal conclave. The process is steeped in tradition and secrecy, with significant global religious implications.

Ceremonial Proceedings:

• Religious Rituals: NPR religion correspondent Jason DeRose outlines the day’s activities, which include religious ceremonies such as chanting the litany of saints and the hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus" to invoke the Holy Spirit [07:26]. These rituals culminate in the voting process within the conclave.

Inside the Conclave:

• Cardinal Michael Czerny’s Perspective: In conversation with Jason DeRose, Cardinal Czerny emphasizes the spiritual nature of the conclave over political considerations. At [08:22], he states, “Voting is not based on calculation. Our voting is based on openness to the Holy Spirit.”

• Discussions Among Cardinals: Jason DeRose reveals that cardinals are deliberating on pressing global issues such as war, peace, migration, and climate change, as well as internal church matters like finances, clergy sex abuse, and doctrinal divisions [09:23].

American Catholic Context:

• Divergence in Beliefs: Jason DeRose highlights the complex relationship between American Catholics and the Vatican, noting that while 20% of Americans identify as Catholic, many hold views that conflict with official church teachings. For instance, a Pew Research survey indicates that 6 in 10 American Catholics support the legality of abortion, despite its classification as a grave sin in Catholic doctrine [09:45].

• Implications for the Church: The conclave outcome is pivotal for the direction of the Catholic Church. Progressive Catholics may favor a Pope like Francis, who prioritizes social issues, whereas conservative members seek a leader focused on traditional doctrines [10:32].

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3. Supreme Court Upholds Transgender Military Ban

Overview: The Supreme Court has upheld the Trump administration’s policy banning transgender individuals from serving in the military, a decision that affects over 4,000 active-duty service members. NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg provides detailed analysis of the ruling and its implications.

Legal Developments:

• Court’s Decision: In a brief, unsigned order, the Supreme Court allowed the enforcement of the transgender military ban while the case returns to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for further review [11:33]. Justice opinions indicate a slim chance of the Supreme Court overturning the ban in the near future.

• Policy Evolution: The current policy, dubbed the "Trump 2" policy, is more stringent than its predecessor, completely barring individuals with a gender dysphoria diagnosis from military service, affecting approximately 0.2% of active military personnel [12:10].

Personal Stories:

• Emily Schilling’s Case: The plaintiffs challenging the ban include Emily Schilling, a Navy pilot with extensive combat experience. Judge Benjamin Settle criticized the policy as a “ruse motivated by hostility towards transgender people,” highlighting the personal and professional stakes involved [13:35].

Future Prospects:

• Appeals Process: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will now review the issue, with potential for the Supreme Court to make a final ruling in the upcoming term. Despite ongoing litigation, the ban remains in effect during this period [14:07].

• Likelihood of Change: Nina Totenberg assesses that the chances of the Supreme Court ultimately ruling against the Trump administration’s ban are “probably slim to none,” given the current trajectory and temporary allowances [13:00].

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Conclusion

This episode of Up First delivers a comprehensive overview of pivotal global and national issues. From the intensifying conflict between India and Pakistan with the potential for further military engagements, to the profound spiritual and organizational decisions unfolding within the Vatican’s papal conclave, and finally, the significant legal battles surrounding transgender rights in the U.S. military. NPR ensures listeners are well-informed with expert analysis and firsthand reporting on the events shaping our world today.

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Notable Quotes:

• “Our voting is based on openness to the Holy Spirit.” – Cardinal Michael Czerny [08:22]
• “If the international community doesn't step in, especially the U.S. then we are only seeing the beginning of these escalatory strikes.” – Diya Hadid [06:49]
• “Probably the case will come back to the court next term for a final ruling, regardless of who WINS in the 9th Circuit.” – Nina Totenberg [14:11]

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Stay informed by subscribing to NPR’s Up First, available every weekday at 6:30 a.m. ET, and on weekends for extended coverage. Support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org.

Transcript

[Emmy Martinez]

A quick note before we start today's show. You may have heard that President Trump has issued an executive order seeking to block all federal funding to npr. This is the latest in a series of threats to media organizations across the country. The executive order is a slight to the First Amendment rights of public media organizations and the American people. NPR remains committed to serving the public. That's you. We lay out the facts and then you can decide how you want to feel about them. And you really won't find that kind of reporting really anywhere else. This is a pity pivotal moment. It's more important than ever that every supporter who can contribute comes together to pitch in as much as they can. Visit donate.NPR.org now to give. And if you already support us via NPR or another means thank you. Your support means so much to us. Now more than ever. You make NPR shows freely available to everyone, and we're proud to do this work for you and with you.

[Michelle Martin]

India struck multiple targets across Pakistan and Pakistan retaliated with strikes on Kashmir, parts of which both countries control.

[Diya Hadid]

Not just one blast. There were a number of blasts, so windows were shaking.

[Emmy Martinez]

Is a de escalation at all possible?

[Michelle Martin]

I'm Michelle Martin. That's a Martinez. And this is up first from NPR News. The Supreme Court has allowed a ban on transgender people serving in the military, but more than 4,000 active duty service members are transgender or what happens to them.

[Emmy Martinez]

And cardinals from around the world have arrived in Vatican City to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church. The selection process to replace Pope Francis will be done in secrecy.

[Cardinal Michael Czerny]

We are in God's hands and we believe that God will act among us and we will have the Holy Father he wants us to have.

[Emmy Martinez]

Stay with us. We've got all the news you need to start your day.

[NPR Sponsor]

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[Emmy Martinez]

And Pakistanis had been waiting for or dreading this moment.

[Michelle Martin]

India struck multiple targets across Pakistan in the most extensive strikes in more than 50 years. It comes after India blamed Pakistan for an attack that killed 26 people in late April. Pakistan denies any connection. Its military has retaliated by firing into parts of Indian Held Kashmir, and it claims it has downed five Indian aircraft. The Associated Press reports that more than 30 people were killed in Pakistan. India says three people were killed on their side.

[Emmy Martinez]

On the line with us is NPR's Diya Hadid. She covers Pakistan and India from her base in Mumbai. Diya, tell us about these strikes. They happened overnight there.

[Ajaz Rao]

Yeah. And most people were sleeping. A but a resident near one of the worst hit places in southern Pakistan recorded this audio. And even in a nearby town, one resident said the strikes woke up his family. This is Ajaz Rao.

[Diya Hadid]

My family would wake up and they say something is very strange is happening, that not just one blast, there were a number of blasts. So windows were shaking.

[Emmy Martinez]

So what kind of places was India targeting in Pakistan?

[Ajaz Rao]

Well, India's army says it struck militant training camps and what they call terror infrastructure. And many of those strikes were in Pakistani held Kashmir. Kashmir is that Himalayan territory divided between India and Pakistan. It's claimed by both and it's at the heart of nearly every conflict between the two countries. But Pakistan says the strikes mostly hit mosques and part of a hydropower dam. One prominent Pakistani militant says one of the strikes targeted his relatives and killed 14 people, including women and children. And that was in a small town in southern Pakistan. And it's really important to say here where these strikes took place. Some were deep in Pakistan. One was near the country's second largest city. So here, have a listen to Michael Kugelman. He writes the Foreign Policy's weekly South Asia Brief. And he says this hasn't happened in decades. The airstrikes that India has launched into.

[Jason DeRose]

Pakistan are the deepest into Pakistani territory since 1971. What also stands out about these recent strikes is the scale and intensity of them.

[Ajaz Rao]

And analysts I've spoken to say they were actually expecting India to hit hard, Expecting them.

[Emmy Martinez]

Why were they expecting that?

[Ajaz Rao]

Well, just because of the nature of the attack that triggered these renewed tensions. It happened on April 22 when gunmen attacked Indian tourists in a meadow. And it seems some of the gunmen targeted Hindu men. It was the deadliest attack against civilians in years and the victims came from all over India. So it just really triggered widespread anger. But after the strikes, the Indian military said its response was measured, focused and non escalatory. Analysts say those words signal that India is not interested in escalating this further.

[Emmy Martinez]

Now, could all this maybe quiet down or do folks there expect more military actions?

[Ajaz Rao]

I guess the problem here is with strikes so deep in Pakistan and with this death toll, Pakistan may feel like it must respond to show people that its army isn't weak. So Analys with the International Crisis Group says other countries have to step in.

[Diya Hadid]

I'm afraid if the international community doesn't step in, especially the U.S. then we are only seeing the beginning of these escalatory strikes.

[Ajaz Rao]

For now. President Trump has said he hopes this ends quickly and Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he's closely monitoring the situation.

[Emmy Martinez]

That's NPR's Dia Hadid in Mumbai. Thank you very much.

[Ajaz Rao]

You're welcome.

[Emmy Martinez]

The papal conclave is beginning today at the Vatican.

[Michelle Martin]

133 cardinal electors are undertaking the solemn task of choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church.

[Emmy Martinez]

Joining Me from outside St. Peter's Square in Rome is NPR religion correspondent Jason DeRose. Jason, so let's start by just telling us what's happening throughout the day there.

[Jason DeRose]

Well, a as much as there have been lots of conversations about church politics and global affairs, today is a day of religious ceremony and spiritual preparation leading up to the a morning mass in St. Peter's Basilica, which is the only public event. A procession from the Vatican's Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel while chanting the litany of saints, the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus to invoke the Holy Spirit and an oath while touching the gospels, the call extra omni sending out all those not directly involved in the election, a final sermon and then the voting begins.

[Emmy Martinez]

Now, you've spoken with one of the cardinals who will be voting. What'd you hear from him?

[Jason DeRose]

Well, Cardinal Michael Czerny is a Canadian Jesuit who has worked here at the Vatican under Pope Francis. This is his first time participating in a conclave. He's only been a cardinal since 2019, when Francis made him one. He says that cardinals are not focusing on the politics of the church or of the world when they're making this.

[Cardinal Michael Czerny]

Decision, it's neither the person in the sense of the individual qualities, nor is it the issues. Voting is not based on calculation. Our voting is based on openness to the Holy Spirit.

[Jason DeRose]

Czerny stressed several times with me that he considers this election a religious experience, not primarily a political one. And I think that's something we don't pay enough attention to in secular culture. And what makes the outcome so unpredictable?

[Emmy Martinez]

Yeah. Now, what have the cardinals been talking about amongst themselves in the days leading up to today?

[Jason DeRose]

Well, it's clear from what the Vatican has been telling us about these meetings that are happening with the cardinals that they are serious issues of war and peace, migration and climate change. But Cardinal Czerny says he's not anxious.

[Cardinal Michael Czerny]

The church herself is the expression of God's love for us in history. We're not lost or not orphans. We are in God's hands, and we believe that God will act among us and we will have the Holy Father he wants us to have.

[Jason DeRose]

But still, the Vatican is also telling us that the cardinals are discussing internal problems, church finances, clergy sex abuse, as well as divisions within the church over doctrine.

[Emmy Martinez]

Now, Jason, you're in Rome right now, but you mainly cover religion in the United States. So what can you tell us about the relationship of American Catholics to the papacy and to that doctrine that you mentioned?

[Jason DeRose]

Well, a about 20% of Americans identify as Catholic, and large majorities hold views that contradict official church teaching teachings from the pope. One example, Pew Research, finds that even though abortion is considered a grave sin within Catholicism, 6 in 10American Catholics believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Despite disagreeing with church teaching, many American Catholics keep a close eye on who the pope is because he sets the tone and the agenda for the whole church. So as we look at this conclave, more progressive Catholics might be delighted by someone like Pope Francis because of his focus on issues like poverty, migration and the environment. At the same time, more conservative Catholics are looking for someone more traditional focused on that church doctrine.

[Emmy Martinez]

That's NPR religion correspondent Jason DeRose in Rome. Jason, thank you.

[Jason DeRose]

You're welcome.

[Emmy Martinez]

The U.S. supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to begin executing its ban on transgender military service members, at least for now. Joining us to talk about this is NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg. Now, Nina, President Trump has been trying to ban transgender troops in the military since his first administration. What's the difference between then and now?

[Nina Totenberg]

In the first Trump term, he partially succeeded, but the ban was reversed by President Biden, only to be put back in place by Trump after he took office for a second term. This new order mimics the Trump order from the first administration and appears to strengthen it as well, barring transgender individuals from enlisting and discharging active duty transgender service members.

[Emmy Martinez]

All right, so what did the Supreme Court do yesterday?

[Nina Totenberg]

In a one paragraph unsigned order, the justices revived the transgender ban, which had been temporarily blocked by the lower courts. The court's three liberal justices, Kagan, Sotomayor, and Jackson, noted their dissents and would have barred the administration from putting the ban in place while the case continues to be litigated in the lower courts. So the case now goes back to the ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for the Trump policy to be reviewed.

[Emmy Martinez]

You know, there's been a lot of back and forth in this case since 2016. That's when the Obama administration first allowed openly trans individuals to serve in the military. So how is the new policy different?

[Nina Totenberg]

The Obama policy was reversed by Trump in 2017, followed by New rules issued by then Defense Secretary James Mattis. The Mattis rules allowed exceptions to the ban for active service members previously diagnosed with gender dysphoria. But the new policy, the Trump 2 policy, is significantly tougher because it bars from the military anyone with a gender dysphoria diagnosis. And while that isn't everyone, it is most trans individuals.

[Emmy Martinez]

Now, where are things? Now?

[Nina Totenberg]

The ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will take a whack at deciding the issue, and that decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court, though the ban is likely to remain in place during the appellate process.

[Emmy Martinez]

So let me cut to the chase here. What are the chances that the Supreme Court will ultimately rule against the Trump trans ban in the military?

[Nina Totenberg]

Probably slim to none. The fact is that the Supreme Court, even on a temporary basis, has allowed the Trump administration to proceed with carrying out the ban. And that's a pretty strong indicator that the administration is very likely to prevail in the long run when it comes.

[Emmy Martinez]

To the numbers of people. How many trans individuals are in the military right now under the policy that allowed them to enlist and serve?

[Nina Totenberg]

According to Pentagon, about 0.2% of active military forces, or about 4,000 individuals.

[Emmy Martinez]

Sunita, I'm wondering, who are the plaintiffs that brought this challenge?

[Nina Totenberg]

They're a group of current and aspiring transgender service members, including lead plaintiff Emily Schilling, a Navy pilot who's flown more than 60 combat missions over her nearly two decades of military service. Ruling in their favor, Judge Benjamin Settle in Washington State, who's a George W. Bush appointee, concluded that the government's class of of gender dysphoria as a disqualifying medical condition was essentially a ruse motivated by hostility towards transgender people.

[Emmy Martinez]

So safe to say that the Supreme Court will eventually actually rule on this.

[Nina Totenberg]

Probably the case will come back to the court next term for a final ruling, regardless of who WINS in the 9th Circuit.

[Emmy Martinez]

All right, that's NPR's Nina Totenberg. Nia, thanks.

[Nina Totenberg]

My pleasure.

[Emmy Martinez]

And that's up first for Wednesday, May 7, Emmy Martinez.

[Michelle Martin]

And I'm Michelle Martin. The NPR app lets you keep public radio in your pocket. You'll find a mix of local, national and international news, plus the best podcast from the NPR network. Download the NPR app in your App Store today.

[Emmy Martinez]

Today's episode of Upverse was edited by Ryland Barton, Daniel Burke, Krishnadev Kalimur, Janaya Williams and Alice Wolfley. Was produced by Katie Klein, Neil Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Isia Highness, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us again tomorrow.

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