NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, April 21, 2025

Episode Date: April 22, 2025

Remembering Pope Francis; Conclave to find new pope will begin within weeks; Stock market falls as Trump escalates attacks on Fed chair; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the life, legacy, and impact of Pope Francis, the Vatican announcing the death of the 88-year-old pontiff just a day after he made a surprise appearance during Easter celebrations. Tonight, what we are learning about his cause of death as mourners fill St. Peter's Square. A carefully orchestrated plan for his funeral begins. Meanwhile, cardinals from around the world are headed to Rome for the conclave to choose a new pope, the latest from the Vatican tonight. The stock market plunging, the dollar's value falling.

Christine Romans with what sparked the sell-off and what it all means for you. President Trump defending his secretary of defense as a new controversy surrounds Pete Hegseth. A report of another signal chat about plans for a military strike, and this time the Secretary's wife included in the chat the emergency evacuation of the Orlando airport, flames and smoke erupting from the engine of this Delta plane, getting ready for takeoff. The plane filled to capacity with nearly 300 people on board, forced to exit by emergency slides.

Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, robbed a purse with thousands of dollars in cash inside, stolen. What we're learning about the investigation tonight and the record run of the Boston Marathon with the women's winner earning a place in history. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. The ancient Roman Catholic rites of loss and transition are underway at the Vatican, where the death of Pope Francis was formally recognized this evening,

many noting the poetry of his passing just a day after Easter. Late today, the Vatican listing his cause of death as stroke, an irreversible heart failure. In 12 years as leader of the Catholic Church, Francis sealed his legacy as a reformer who challenged tradition, a pastor who forged a deep connection with the weak and vulnerable, and a model of humility. Tributes to the late Pope are pouring in, President Trump posting, may God bless him and all who loved him. The president ordering flags here in the U.S. to be flown at half staff and announcing he and First Lady Melania Trump will attend the funeral expected to take place later this week. Cardinals

who will ultimately elect a successor to Francis are beginning their journeys to Rome, where many of the faithful have already gathered in tribute. Tonight, sadness and prayers in St. Peter's Square. A rosary service beginning the morning for Pope Francis, joining Catholic faithful around the world who are still absorbing the news of his sudden loss. The 88-year-old pontiff passing away this morning just one day after a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday. Reading a blessing he had written. The people's Pope unable to pass a chance to be close to his flock, greeting the crowds in St. Peter's Square and riding in the popemobile, despite the advice of doctors that he rest and avoid crowds.

It was classic Pope Francis in the view of Cardinal Timothy Dolan. We can't choreograph the way we go, but if you could, this wasn't bad. Pope Francis was kind of like a natural. He kind of knew the power of symbols. He was very authentic. He was very sincere. He didn't want to put on a show, but it came natural to him. You'd almost think he had planned it, which we know he didn't, but God planned it. And I thank God for the beautiful way that he went on. The Pope also spent a few minutes on Sunday with Vice President J.D. Vance, keeping up a busy schedule in the final days and hours of his life, coming just days after greeting hospital staff who cared for him and also visiting with prisoners.

Earlier this year, Francis was hospitalized for over a month with pneumonia, returning to the public eye just weeks ago. All of it for Pope Francis, the love for his compassion for the sick, the poor and forgotten, focusing the church on what he believed was its mission, to spread love and mercy. Elected Pope in March 2013, there was that poignant moment on the balcony, asking people to pray for him and bowing to them. Naming himself after Saint Francis of Assisi, who ministered to the poor, the Pope's humility demonstrated from the very start. Returning to his hotel to pay his bill after the conclave, carrying his own bag,

Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian immigrant parents who settled in Argentina. He studied to be a chemist, but was called to be a priest, eventually becoming the Cardinal of Buenos Aires, living simply, riding the subway, the Bishop of the Slums. As Pope, he clashed with Vatican officials, but endeared himself to many of the faithful, declaring, I am a sinner. Accusing accusing the Vatican bureaucracy he sought to reform of spiritual Alzheimer's, and saying, who am I to judge, when asked about a gay priest at his first in-flight press conference, though he opposed gay marriage. His more progressive views at times sparking criticism from conservative

American bishops. On the world stage, he spoke out against the invasion in Ukraine and brokered a thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations. I can only reiterate the importance and above all the richness and the beauty of family life. At one point, Francis saying couples who choose pets instead of children is a form of selfishness. Children brought out his best, never more so than when he met a young boy on this parish visit in Rome. The boy's father had died, and he wanted to ask the Pope if his dad, an atheist, was in heaven. But he was too scared. Come and tell me in my ear, Francis says, and consoles him. God has a father's heart, he tells the boy.

His style, a dramatic shift from predecessor Pope Benedict, who for a time lived just steps away. There were unforgettable moments, like during the pandemic, Francis, alone, praying in a rainy St. Peter's Square. His only trip to the United States as Pope, a history-making event. The first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress. His time as Pope also coming in the midst of the church's ongoing sexual abuse scandals. Shocking revelations in the U.S. and around the world led Francis to toughen church laws against such abuse to better protect children and vulnerable adults. Some don't think he always handled this subject well, since he says he initially believed

Chile's cardinals that there was no abuse scandal in that country. Survivor Juan Carlos Cruz helped change the pope's mind. JUAN CARLOS CRUZ, He's listening. He's understanding. He's understanding. He goes to the source and understands the problem. So I give him credit for that. The Pope's death now leads to that secretive and mysterious conclave where cardinals under age 80 gather in Rome inside the Sistine Chapel

to choose the Pope's successor. But tonight, the global spotlight is on Francis, the celebrations growing for the people's Pope, the pontiff who touched millions around the world, remembered for practicing what he preached. The Pope's death now starts into motion a mourning period and then a process to choose a new pope those cardinals we mentioned a moment ago who are traveling to the vatican will first discuss plans for the pope's funeral molly hunter is at the vatican tonight molly good evening lester good evening cardinals already traveling to vatican city and tomorrow will be the first meeting of the cardinals already in town now the funeral is expected within four to six days,

and the cardinals will work out the exact date before all the attention turns to the conclave. Shrouded in secrecy, the conclave begins 15 to 20 days following the death of a pontiff. Over the next two weeks, the 135 cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote for the next pope will descend on Vatican City. Pope Francis named 108 of the electors, shaping the global church in his image, 20 from countries that had never had a cardinal before. This is a conclave where Pope Francis named 80 percent of the cardinals who will elect his successor. But they don't really know each other,

and so name recognition will carry a lot in the days ahead. In this centuries-old tradition, the cardinals are sealed inside the Sistine Chapel, beneath the watchful gaze of Michelangelo's frescoes, shut off from the outside world. After day one, four rounds of secret ballots every day until one name receives a two-thirds majority. The list of likely contenders spans the globe, from Asia to Africa to the Holy Land to Europe and Canada. Will the next pope share Francis's global outlook, or will it be a more conservative voice? The cardinals really face two choices in this election. Do they want to continue on the path

of reform that France has initiated, of opening the church up to the modern world? Or do they want a course correction to elect a pope that's perhaps more focused on doctrine and discipline? Those are really the two choices. As the voting continues, the cardinals burn the ballots, producing black smoke or eventually white smoke to announce a new pope. Molly, we understand we could see the pope lying in state as soon as this Wednesday. Alastair, that's right. We're learning new details about all of the next couple of days tonight. We understand that his body was moved into a single wood and zinc coffin, not the traditional trio of coffins.

And he may be moved as early as Wednesday to Lyon State in St. Peter's Basilica. And another change, Lester, he will not be buried in the Vatican Grottoes. Instead, he has chosen a different church, Santa Maria Maggiore, a basilica in the center of Rome that was near to his heart, and he visited often. Lester? Molly Hunter, thanks. Meanwhile at home, there was another big drop in the stock market today. All the major averages tumbling close to 2.5% during a wild ride on Wall Street.

Let's bring in NBC News senior business correspondent Christine Romans. Christine, everyone's asking, what's going on? Yeah, you know, investors are alarmed. They're really alarmed here at the president's escalating attacks on the Federal Reserve chief on social media, calling Jerome Powell a major loser, demanding that he cut rates now. Markets already contending with shocks from tariffs with no trade deals in sight just yet.

Powell said last week those tariffs could cause more persistent inflation. The Fed keeping rates steady for now. But the president's top economic adviser said, you know, the White House is looking at whether removing Powell is an option. Trump appointed Powell. Remember, a Republican in his first term, Powell has said removing him is not permitted under the law. An independent Fed is a cornerstone of U.S. financial stability. So the threat of turmoil, they're dragging down stocks,, the dollar altogether, the dollar at a three-year low tonight. All right, Christine, thanks. Turning now to growing fallout over the defense secretary's use of private messaging app Signal. It comes after several Trump administration officials came under fire for discussing sensitive

military operations using the app. Kelly O'Donnell is at the White House. Defiant and dug in tonight. I've spoken to the president and we are going to continue fighting on the same page all the way. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth facing a new allegation of improperly sharing sensitive military operational details before a strike in Yemen. That group chat included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer, according to two sources, who say Hegseth sent the information using his personal phone and the Signal app. Hegseth and family at today's White House Easter egg roll, where the secretary attacked media reports but did not address the substance of the allegation. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees,

and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations. Not going to work with me because we're changing the Defense Department. Four former top Pentagon advisers are speaking out about Hegs' leadership more broadly. Incredibly disappointed is how three senior aides described their firing last week and say they have not been told what exactly we were investigated for. Meanwhile, former Pentagon spokesman John Elliott, who left voluntarily, writes the president should remove Hegseth, citing total chaos and disarray under Hegseth's leadership. But today, the president says he stands by him.

Don't worry about confidence. We have so much confidence here. The highest recruiting numbers almost ever. That's confidence. Kelly, what do we know about the information Hegseth shared? Well, a source confirmed to NBC News that some of the information Hegseth passed along was similar to the subject matter with the military details of that original group text with cabinet officials. What remains unclear tonight, though, is why Secretary Hegseth would pass on attack information to his wife, brother and lawyer when they would have no operational need to know. Lester. Kelly O'Donnell, thank you. In New York

today, a jury found Nadine Menendez guilty of bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors said she and her husband, former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, accepted cash and gold bars in exchange for political favors. Bob Menendez was convicted last year and will soon begin an 11 year prison sentence. Now to the growing battle between President Trump and the courts. Late today, Harvard sued the administration. Gabe Gutierrez is at the White House. Gabe, what's behind Harvard's lawsuit? Lester, Harvard is arguing that the Trump administration's freezing of billions of dollars in federal aid is unconstitutional and illegal. And this comes

after the university refused to agree to demands that included auditing student viewpoints. Now, the White House has said that Harvard has not done enough to fight anti-Semitism and should not receive federal tax dollars, Lester. And Gabe, you're also following a showdown in the courts over immigration. Yes, that's right. Over the weekend, the Supreme Court halted some deportations temporarily, and NBC News captured some exclusive video Friday night showing an ICE bus carrying Venezuelan migrants headed towards an airport in Texas before abruptly turning around. Now, late today, President Trump just posting on social media that he's being stymied at every turn by even the U.S. Supreme Court over his deportation plans. The White House is now asking the high court to lift that halt. Lester. All right. Gabe Gutierrez tonight.S. Supreme Court, over his deportation plans. The White House is now asking the high court to lift that hold.

Lester. All right, Gabe Gutierrez tonight. Thanks. We'll be right back in 60 seconds with the engine fire in a Delta flight forcing an emergency evacuation for the hundreds of people on board. Tonight, the FAA is investigating a fire on a Delta Airlines plane. The flight was leaving the gate in Orlando with nearly 300 people on board when one of the engines erupted in flames.

Here's NBC's Tom Costello. At Orlando International, fire on the ramp. We're calling the fire truck right now. We'll do that. Thank you very much. The right side engine on a fully loaded Delta Airlines flight spewing flames just moments after pushing back from the gate. There's obviously people in that plane.

As pilots quickly shut off fuel to the engine, passengers evacuated the jumbo jet down emergency slides. The process slowed with passengers only able to evacuate from the left side of the plane. Please take your time going down the stairs. On board the Orlando to Atlanta flight, Channing Wells and her nine-year-old son returning home after a Disney cruise. So you had everyone in the back of the plane in a panic trying to rush to the front. And then all of a sudden you start smelling the smoke and different things like that. And then everyone was panicking. Firefighters quickly doused the flames as

passengers gathered on the ramp. Delta says the highly unusual fire happened in the engine's tailpipe. In my many years of flying, tailpipe fires are very rare. I was trained for it, but in all my years, I never had a tailpipe fire. The latest in a string of high-profile aviation incidents this year that have flyers on edge. Meanwhile, another Delta flight declared an emergency and landed back in Orlando after experiencing a cabin pressure issue over Jacksonville. Delta says all affected passengers are being rebooked. Lester.

Okay, Tom, thanks. We're back in a moment with the robbery of none other than the Secretary of Homeland Security. What we're learning tonight about the thousands of dollars that were stolen. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had her bag stolen at a restaurant in D.C. last night. According to sources familiar with the matter, surveillance video shows a man in an N95 mask taking the bag. Inside, a government access badge and thousands of dollars in cash intended for dinner and Easter gifts for her family. Dramatic moments on an Indiana expressway this afternoon. Flames engulfing a semi-truck. Police say it was carrying cans of spray paint.

Authorities shut down part of the road, bringing a hazmat team out. Police say a mechanical failure involving the brakes may be the cause. They say the driver was not hurt. It was a record-breaking Marathon Monday in Boston. Sharon Licati smashed the course record, running the fastest women's time in Boston marathon history. On the men's side, Kenyon John Corrier won the historic race. American Connor Mance came in fourth, just seconds shy of the podium. When we come back, remembering Pope Francis and his special connection with the youth of the podium. When we come back, remembering Pope Francis and his special connection with the youth

of the world. Finally tonight, as the world mourns Pope Francis, the 88-year-old pontiff is being remembered for his humility and the kindness he showed to children around the world, leaving a legacy of compassion. Here's Tom Yamas. Pope Francis was a natural, and his smile contagious, championing the needs of children for more than a decade. The hugs, kisses, and blessings from across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and beyond. He captured the world's heart again and again. Like this tender moment when a hearing impaired boy climbed on stage. The Pope telling his mother when she came to get her son, if he wants to play, leave him be. Or at a baptismal mass at the Sistine Chapel, reassuring parents.

Let the children cry. The Pope wanted every child to know that they mattered, the sick and the vulnerable. Opening his arms wide to a young girl with Down syndrome in Washington, D.C., and visiting Ukrainian child refugees at a hospital in Rome. The plain-spoken pontiff offering youth a sense of belonging. He urged young people to, quote, make a mess, meaning he wanted them to shake things up in their parishes and make their voices heard. Pope Francis's humility and sincerity helped define his legacy,

lifting children's spirits everywhere. Tom Yamas, NBC News. That is nightly news for this Monday. Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.