NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-21-2025 3PM EDT

Episode Date: April 21, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Darkness has fallen over Vatican City, where crowds are gathering to remember Pope Francis, who died today at the age of 88 after a stroke. The ceremony began with a rosary prayer in front of thousands of mourners who flooded St. Peter's Square. -"Pater Noster, qui es in Cielis, many of those who came out to pay their respects were holding photographs, handwritten notes,

and other mementos to honor the late Pontiff." President Trump is directing federal buildings across the United States to lower their flags to have staff to honor Pope Francis. Speaking at the White House today, Trump remarked on the Pontiff's legacy. He was a good man, worked hard, he loved the world and it's an honor to do that. Former presidents and congressional leaders are also remembering Pope Francis. President Joe Biden called him one

of the most consequential leaders of our time. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is sharing her memories of Pope Francis. Pelosi, who describes herself as a devout Catholic, recalled one of the times she met with him at the Vatican. Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Former House Speaker Nancy And I'd be like, well, wait a minute, you're holding this. You're supposed to be praying to the rest of us. So this sign of his humility, pray for me, and then this confidence and his courage to do all the wonderful things that he did was quite remarkable. Pelosi spoke about the Pope's unwavering support for immigrants and refugees, calling the issue a high priority for him.

The Trump administration is sending a delegation to London this week for talks with European leaders and Ukrainian representatives. NPR's Joanna Kikisis reports the U.S. is threatening to walk away from negotiations if there's not a deal soon, upping the pressure on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has noted that Trump administration officials are echoing the Kremlin's narrative on this war. But Zelensky also says his country needs the US as a partner and peace negotiator. Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian cities in the last few

weeks. In the northeastern city of Sumy, just 16 miles from the Russian border, Russian missile attacks last week and killed 35 civilians and injured more than 100. Nadiya Grin, who runs a music college there, lost a close friend in the strike. We feel the horror and cruelty every day, she told NPR. We tell each other, have a safe day, have a safe night, a quiet evening. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kiev. Stocks continue to trade sharply lower on Wall Street at this hour. The Dow was down more than 1,200 points. This is NPR News in Washington.

NPR has confirmed that the acting U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. has sent letters to at least two medical journals requesting information about their editorial practices. NPR's Rob Stein has more. Interim U.S. attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. sent letters to scientific journals published by the American Medical Association and the American College of Chest Physicians. One of the journals, called Chest, confirmed receiving the letter. Neither Martin's office nor the other journal, called JAMA, responded to NPR's request for comment. Other journals may have also received the letter.

The letter charged the journals are, quote, partisans in various scientific debates. Rob Stein, NPR News. Health officials in Pakistan are launching a second nationwide vaccination campaign against polio. The country's health minister is urging parents to cooperate with medical staff who visit door-to-door to vaccinate children. According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the virus hasn't been

stopped. Pakistan has reported only six polio cases since January. Last year the country reported 74 cases. And stocks continue to plummet on Wall Street at this hour. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is now down 1,213 points. The Nasdaq Composite also down 551. The S&P down 166 points. This is NPR News.