Remembering Pope Francis, 266th leader of the Catholic Church

Good morning, I'm Kara Rucker. It's Monday, April 21st, 2025, and these are your Unbiased Updates

We're following breaking news as Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church

has died at 88 years old. And we're learning about a second signal chat in which Defense

Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly discussed military operations, this time with his wife

and brother. From the Straight Arrow News Studio, bringing the stories that matter to you

from across the United States and around the world. These are today's unbiased updates

We start with breaking news this morning out of the Vatican. The 266th leader of the Catholic

Church, Pope Francis, has died. The Vatican announced the religious leader's passing

saying at 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father

His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his church

The news comes just hours after the 88-year-old made an Easter Sunday appearance

at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. In his Easter address, which was delivered by

Archbishop Diego Ravelli on the pontiff's behalf, he urged peace in Gaza and Ukraine

as well as other parts of the world experiencing conflicts. In recent months, Francis battled a

host of health issues, including diverticulitis, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Pope Francis took over

the Catholic Church during a time of tumult after the 2,000-year-old institution faced

multiple controversies during the tenure of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, whose surprise resignation led to Francis's election

He made history as the first Jesuit and non-European to hold the church's highest office in more than a thousand years

However, Francis also faced controversy of his own, often for his progressive outreach to LGBTQ plus Catholics and crackdown on traditionalists

He also faced the unique task of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This morning Vice President J Vance who is Catholic and just met with Pope Francis in person this weekend posting on social media quote My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him I was happy to see him yesterday though he was obviously very ill

But I'll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID

It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul. Francis's body will be put on display in an open coffin in St. Peter's Basilica

where pontiffs have been buried for more than 100 years. However, in accordance with Francis

wishes, he is expected to be buried at the ancient Basilica of St. Mary Major

which lies outside Vatican walls. His successor will be chosen during a conclave

a gathering of cardinals who are charged with electing a new pope in strict seclusion at the

Vatican. Also making headlines this morning, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly used

his personal phone to send information about U.S. military operations in Yemen to signal group chat

that included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, according to multiple sources. The messages

which were sent on March 15th, included flight schedules for jets tasked with striking Houthi

targets, those sources said. The messages were sent the same day Hegseth shared similar operational

details in a separate signal chat in which a journalist was accidentally included. Reports

on that chat sparked widespread concerns over how senior officials handled sensitive military

information. Hegseth has not responded to this report as of this recording. El Salvador's

President Nayib Bukele has proposed a prisoner swap to Venezuela. He's offering to return 252

Venezuelans allegedly tied to gangs, murders and other crimes deported from the U.S. and now

detained in a Salvadoran mega prison in exchange for an equal number of people he calls political

prisoners held in Venezuela. Venezuela has pushed back, calling the deportees kidnapped migrants

and questioning their detention. Bukele called it a humanitarian agreement in a post on X

asking Venezuela for the return of family members from opposition leaders journalists lawyers and 50 detained citizens of other nationalities including American

Venezuelan's general attorney has reportedly responded asking for more information, including names and medical status of Venezuelans detained in El Salvador

signaling the country may be entering the idea of a swap, but still no formal agreement between the two

Missiles and drones are being launched this morning following the end of what was supposed to be a 30-hour ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine

About 100 strikes on Ukrainian regions took place early Monday. But Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, says Russia had already been striking Ukraine during the agreed ceasefire

And Russia's Vladimir Putin says Ukraine likewise violated the ceasefire. Zelensky posted on X the total number of violations by the Russian army of Russia's own ceasefire promise throughout the day reached 2,935

Zelensky had offered a full 30-day ceasefire after Easter, saying in his X post

ceasefire will be met with ceasefire and Russian strikes will be met with our own in defense

Actions always speak louder than words. Meanwhile, Russia's defense ministry accused Ukraine of breaking the ceasefire more than 1,000 times

The apparent broken 30-hour ceasefire showcases a level of difficulty ahead for a peace deal to end the war now in its third year

President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social Sunday, hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week

Both will then start to do big business with the United States of America

which is thriving, and make a fortune. Meanwhile, a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal could be signed by

April 26th. Trump said an 80-page deal will be signed, his Treasury Secretary Scott Besant

indicating that agreement is likely to come April 26th. Bloomberg reported that the U.S

has reduced its repayment demands from $300 to $100 billion in the new minerals deal now on the

table Talks between Iran and the U are moving forward after a positive round of negotiations in Rome over the weekend The two sides which met indirectly are working toward a possible deal over Iran nuclear program

It was the highest level talks between the U.S. and Iran in years. The U.S. is looking to stop Iran's fast advancement of enriched uranium needed for nuclear weapons

A spokesman for U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who indirectly met with Iran's counterpart

says President Trump has been clear Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon or enrichment program

However, a top aide to Iran's supreme leader said Iran won't accept the dismantlement

of its nuclear program, but is looking for relief from U.S. sanctions

U.S. and Iranian officials plan to meet again next week, where higher-level talks will take place in Oman

Finally this morning, perhaps some comforting news for the human race. It seems robots aren't quite ready to take over the world yet

21 humanoid robots competed in a half marathon in Beijing Saturday alongside flesh and blood runners

The first of its kind 13-mile race was the culmination of months of training for the humanoids

which had to master skills that come a little more naturally to some of us humans, like balancing

and while it was an impressive feat of innovation, the robots still have a lot to learn

after many of them apparently stumbled and tumbled their way through that race

But this guy right here, taking a walk with his head held high after crossing the finish line

apparently doing well enough to earn himself an award and I don't know about you

but that is the face of accomplishment right there and completed the half marathon without a drip of sweat

How about that? I just don't know how I would feel running alongside robots

I think I'd be too scared they were chasing after me. So I don't know

I might do well in that sort of race running for my life. Good practice, just in case the bots turn against us one day, if you think about it

These are your unbiased updates for this Monday. Thanks so much for having me

Craig Negrelli will be back with you tomorrow morning. For all of us here at Straight Arrow News, I'm Kara Rucker

Have a great day