NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Episode Date: April 23, 2025

Vatican releases new details about remembrance for Pope Francis; American cardinal temporarily leading the Vatican; Sources: Military information Hegseth shared came from secure messages; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight the Catholic Church in transition. Pope Francis' funeral set for Saturday as the Vatican reveals the rituals and personal details that will be part of his farewell. Our Tom Yama is at the Vatican on where the Catholic Church could go from here as meetings between the Cardinals are already underway as they prepare to choose who will lead them. Do you want the Pope to modernize the church or do you want a Pope that is conservative? I want the Pope who follows gospel. Our exclusive reporting sources telling NBC News Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive military information just minutes after receiving it

through secure channels. Elon Musk tonight saying his time with Doge will drop significantly after Tesla reported a 20 percent drop in auto revenue. Universities united more than 200 higher ed leaders push back on the Trump administration's efforts to bring sweeping changes to their schools. Karen Reid back in court, the woman accused of killing her police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV. Now standing trial again. Laura Jarrett on the dramatic day in court. The wildfire tearing through New Jersey. The evacuation orders underway. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.

Good evening and welcome. Moving with speed and the guidance of ancient tradition, plans are unfolding for the funeral and burial of Pope Francis. A Saturday morning funeral at St. Peter's Basilica is expected to draw some of the world's most powerful people, including President Trump. But in death, as in life, it is the powerless Francis wanted reflected in the memorial plans that he helped draft. They include the simple coffin he chose that he now rests in inside a Vatican chapel. These images released by the Vatican today are first look at him since his death. Tonight, as the cardinals, who within

weeks will choose his successor, gather in Rome, the faithful wait in anticipation for their chance to see the Pope one last time to say goodbye. It was announced today the Pope will lie in state in St. Peter's Basilica tomorrow through Friday. Tom Yamas leads our coverage from the Vatican. Tom, good evening. Lester, good evening to you. In just hours, St. Peter's Square here just behind me will transform with people and ritual. Right now, tonight, Pope Francis lies in rest and only his family, close friends and some cardinals have seen him. But that all changes tomorrow when his body and his coffin will come here to St. Peter's Square and the public will get to pay their respects before his burial. Tonight, the centuries-old tradition of honoring the life of a pontiff and choosing a new one is underway.

Cardinals from around the world gathering at the Vatican, where daily meetings began today. In the coming weeks, 135 cardinals under the age of 80 will decide the future of the Church, including Cardinal Rolandus Macricus. Do you want the Pope to modernize the church, or do you want a Pope that is conservative? I want a Pope who follows gospel. It's a question many Catholics are now weighing.

You have to search for a new Pope to continue what he had started. As they honor the legacy of Pope Francis, known for his humility and commitment to lifting up the most vulnerable, from his native Argentina to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. For us as Catholics, this is a death in the family. And here in Rome. Pray for him, pray for the next pope. The Vatican today releasing the first images of the Cyprus coffin chosen by Pope Francis. They show the pontiff lying in the chapel where he worshipped most mornings, wearing red vestments, a rosary is wrapped around his hands,

the Swiss guards protecting him. And we're learning new details about how he will be remembered in the coming days. Early tomorrow morning, his body will be moved in a procession to St. Peter's Basilica. From Wednesday to Friday, members of the public will pay their respects as his body lies in state. His coffin won't be elevated, but rather placed facing the pews, reflecting Pope Francis' desire to be remembered as a shepherd and disciple, not for his powerful position. His funeral is planned for Saturday morning, with several world leaders expected to attend,

including President Trump, President Zelensky, and the Prince of Wales. Pope Francis is going to be buried here? Yes, he's going to be buried here at Santa Maria Maggiore, the oldest church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Western world. Art historian Elizabeth Lev says his final resting place holds special meaning. What he's asked for is something very simple. Yes, he's asked for a very simple burial spot. So it's not a big chapel. It's not a big monument. But what Pope Francis wants

is a very small space right next to this icon of the Madonna Salas Populi Romani. So there's a little alcove, a little space, which is right next to the chapel where that icon was, where he has prayed so many times. According to tradition, he will be buried with a small bag of coins minted during his papacy to aid in future identification. The fisherman's ring he wore, now broken, a ritual signifying his death. It will be buried with him and his tomb will have just one word, Franciscus. Yet another reflection of the humble nature of Pope Francis. And Tom, what do we know about when the conclave could begin? Lester, as the world gets ready to say goodbye to Pope Francis, the College

of Cardinals is busy here at the Vatican meeting and planning that conclave. We know it has to start 15 to 20 days after the Pope's death. The earliest it could start, Lester, would be the second week of May. All right, Tom Yamas starting us off. Thanks. Anne Thompson is also at the Vatican tonight, and there's an American cardinal who is taking center stage this week. There sure is, Lester. Cardinal Kevin Farrell is the man Pope Francis handpicked to be the carmelingo. That is the man who runs the Vatican in this time between popes. Tomorrow, he will lead the procession, moving Francis' body to St. Peter's Basilica. This comes after he had to make the

formal determination of Pope Francis' death and seal the papal apartments. Farrell was born in Dublin, Ireland. He spent most of his career in the U.S. in Washington and Dallas. Then he was called to Rome by Pope Francis to lead the department of the laity.S. in Washington and Dallas. Then he was called to Rome by Pope Francis to lead the Department of the Laity. Church runs in his family. His older brother, Brian, is a retired bishop. Lester. And Thompson, thank you. There is breaking news tonight from Tesla. The CEO, Elon Musk, saying his time at Doge will drop significantly next month. Brian Chung is here. Brian, what's this all about? Lester, that's right. Elon Musk said that he would be scaling back and significantly dropping back on his work with Doge starting next month, promising to commit more time to his car company, saying he's scaling back time at the agency,

quote, now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done. He added that he will spend a day or two a week on government matters as long as President Trump would like him to. The news came as Tesla tonight reported a 71 percent drop in net income from last year. Tesla said trade policy adversely impacts costs for the company and said changing political sentiment could have a meaningful impact on customer demand for its vehicles. Tesla stock Lester down over 40 percent year to date. OK, Brian, thank you. We turn now to our exclusive new reporting about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Sources telling NBC News the Pentagon chief shared sensitive military information just minutes after receiving it through secure channels. Here's Peter Alexander.

Tonight, NBC News has learned shortly before U.S. fighter jets took off to launch airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen last month. The head of U.S. fighter jets took off to launch airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen last month, the head of U.S. Central Command, Army General Eric Carrillo, used a secure government system to send Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, his superior, specific details about the imminent operation, according to three U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the exchanges. Minutes later, the sources say Hegseth used his personal phone to send some of that information to at least two group chats on the messaging app Signal, one with Hegseth's wife, his brother, and his personal attorney. The material included when those fighter jets would take off and when they would hit their targets, details that in the wrong hands could put the American pilots in danger hegseth today denied

sharing any classified information on signal i look at war plans every single day what was shared over signal then and now however you characterize it was informal unclassified coordinations for media coordination other things that's what i've said from the beginning. When asked, President Trump again this week said he remains confident in Hegseth. Oh, Donald. President Trump. Why do you even ask a question like that? Still, a prominent Republican lawmaker has now joined top Democrats condemning Hegseth's actions.

Republican Congressman Don Bacon, a retired Air Force general, telling NBC News, if true, it is unacceptable and I wouldn't tolerate it if I was responsible. Peter, we're also learning Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to reorganize the State Department. Lester, this is a major shakeup. Secretary Rubio says that he wants to streamline what he calls a bloated bureaucracy that could slash hundreds of positions and offices at the State Department. Rubio says it's an effort to make his department more aligned with President Trump's America First agenda. Lester. Peter Alexander at the White House. Thank you. Now to the growing tension between universities and the federal government. Hundreds of educational

leaders signing a letter pushing back against the Trump administration's move to reshape higher education. Stephanie Gosk has more. Tonight, a united front from small colleges to massive state universities to the Ivy League. I'm happy that they're finally speaking out. More than 200 educational institutions signing a statement protesting the Trump administration's efforts to reshape higher education in the U.S., including Fordham University. Pushing back against this governmental overreach, I think, is a really great step for universities. This notion that we are bastions of liberal progressivism, intent on tearing apart the fabric of American society, is a false narrative.

The statement calls the government's tactics unprecedented overreach and political interference. Risks not only American higher education, but our democracy itself. Administration officials say the goal is to root out anti-Semitism on campus. But the demands have been greater in scope, targeting DEI programs and curriculum. The statement's release coming just hours after Harvard became the first school to sue the federal government for freezing $2.2 billion in research funds. The lawsuit accuses the government of using the funding as leverage to gain control of academic decision-making. In a statement, a White House spokesman called the federal funding of university research a gravy train. The president has made it quite clear that it's Harvard who has put themselves in the position to lose their own funding. Dr. David Waltz's research into early ALS

detection was abruptly stopped. The work that we're doing is not political in nature. It's really simply to benefit humankind. Restarting the study will be difficult. Taxpayers have paid for a project that will have no results. How do you feel about the fact that your university has taken this stand? I'm 100% behind it. I'm proud of Harvard, as I think most of the faculty are here. Stephanie Goss, NBC News. Karen Reed was back in court today for a second murder trial in a case that has gripped the

country. She's accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by running him over with her car. Her lawyers insisting she was framed. Here's Laura Jarrett. There was no collision. She's the victim of a botched and biased and corrupted investigation. Karen Reed's defense team attempting to strike at the heart of the state's case today in her trial

for the alleged murder of her former boyfriend, a Boston police officer, a case that has captured global attention. I'm declaring a mistrial in this case. Reed back in court today for opening statements in her retrial after a jury deadlocked last year. It's been like living in purgatory. Prosecutors once again charging her with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of an accident, accusing Reid of ramming her SUV into John O'Keefe after a night of heavy drinking, causing him to hit his head and die in the snow. We are not going to try to prove that Karen Reid tried to kill John O'Keefe. We're not going to

try to prove that she intended or wanted him dead. What we'll prove to you is she engaged in an intentional act, driving back at him at that speed in the store. But Reid has maintained her innocence. Her lawyers telling the jury today O'Keefe was killed at a fellow officer's home and their client was framed. John did not have a single injury consistent with being hit by a car. No broken bones, no fractures. John O'Keefe was injured someplace warmer and he was moved. That alone is reasonable doubt. No one else has been charged in his death, but the case has turned into a cultural sensation.

I am just obsessed with this case. While back in court, Reid's comments in interviews since the last trial... Didn't I say could I have hit him? Or was it told to me that I said I'd hit him? ...may complicate her defense at this one. Laura Jarrett, NBC News. Major changes are coming to the nation's food supply. Today, the HHS secretary and FDA commissioner announced a federal ban on food dyes. So what does that mean for popular foods and drinks? Here's Vicki Wynn. Keeping his campaign promise to make America healthy again, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants food makers to stop using synthetic dyes made from petroleum to color what we eat and drink. Problem is industry is making

money on keeping us sick. The FDA citing a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, and ADHD. In January, the FDA banned red dye number three. The new ban targets six more synthetic dyes and two food colorings, common ingredients found in cereals, candies, cakes, and even medicine. The measure authorizes four new natural color additives and fast-tracks the approval of others. A food dye trade group says in part color additives have been rigorously reviewed by global health authorities with no safety concerns. Despite common misconceptions, FD&C colors are approved and continue to be used worldwide.

At Chew in Boston, food makers are already using pigments from cabbage, turmeric, and beets as food coloring. Why is so much food in the American diet made with artificial colors and flavors? In short, because they're easy, they're cheap. CEO Adam Malonis says the technology is available now and there's no need for artificial colors. So this is purple carrots and beet juice. It can make food look the same as the red dye? Yes, it can. With the right dilution, concentration and intelligence, yes. And is it much more expensive to use this? No. The ban calls for all synthetic dyes to be removed by the end of next year. Vicky Nguyen, NBC News, New York. In 60 seconds, a warning for parents. We'll tell you about the alarming nationwide rise in whooping cough, which can be fatal for babies.

What's behind the spike and how to protect yourself. An important new health alert, especially for parents tonight on a spike in an infection that can be dangerous for babies. Whooping cough. Sam Brock joining us now. Sam, what are you finding out about this? Yeah, Lester, good evening. Scientists right now saying really it's a combination of falling vaccination rates, skipping boosters, and more testing that could be behind the surging numbers. The U.S. has more than 8,000 reported cases of whooping cough so far this year. That is more than double where we were at this time last

year. In Michigan alone, that figure jumped nearly eighteen hundred percent in one year. The bacterial infection is spread through droplets and is contagious, presenting initially like a common cold, but progressing, Lester, to violent coughing spells. It can be fatal, as you said, for infants with two young children dying in Louisiana in just the last six months. A critical takeaway here is that pertussis can take hold within the first year or two of a child's life. Getting a vaccine, of course, is your best protection. Very concerning, Sam. Thanks. Up next, the fires and mandatory evacuations in New Jersey, plus a dramatic escape, a sidewalk manhole exploding after a woman with kids walked over it. Wildfires tearing across part of New Jersey, burning more than a thousand

acres and blanketing the sky with thick smoke. Major roads are shut down and evacuation orders are in place as crews work to get the rapidly spreading fire under control. Terrifying moments on a sidewalk in Poughkeepsie, New York, a manhole exploding, narrowly missing a woman and two children. The local fire department says carbon monoxide was found underground and inside buildings on the block. They evacuated the building and they say no one was hurt in that explosion. And in China, a unique half marathon pitted 12,000 human runners against 21 humanoid robots,

part of an effort to showcase developing technology. pitted 12,000 human runners against 21 humanoid robots, part of an effort to showcase developing technology. Although most of the robots had a rough road, some fell down, others fell apart, most didn't finish, proving at least for now the human race is still on top. And that is nightly news for this Tuesday. Thank you for watching.