The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/04/21 at 07:00 EDT

Episode Date: April 21, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/04/21 at 07:00 EDT

When they predict we'll fall, we rise to the challenge. When they say we're not a country, we stand on guard. This land taught us to be brave and caring, to protect our values, to leave no one behind. Canada is on the line, and it's time to vote as though our country depends on it, because like never before, it does. I'm Jonathan Pedneau, co-leader of the Green Party of Canada.

This election, each vote, makes a difference. Authorized by the registered agent of the Green Party of Canada. For CBC News, the world this hour, I'm Gina Louise Phillips. We begin this morning at the Vatican. That is Cardinal Kevin Farrell announcing Pope Francis has died. He suffered chronic lung disease and was admitted to hospital earlier this year for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. Francis was 88 years old. Megan Williams reports. Well, I'm standing now in St. Peter's Square and just crowds of people are flooding in. I've

spoken to some of them. They're not all Catholic. There are people carrying large crosses, clearly parish groups, but also a lot of people who are here to pay their respects, not because they're Christians, but just because this pope had so much importance, I think, to many people. He was a pope from right after his election 12 years ago who made it clear he wasn't interested in enforcing doctrine, he was interested in reaching out to the world's forgotten and overlooked. And part of that was his deep understanding of the importance of apologizing for colonial crimes and injustices. And his trip to Canada, his penitential tour, was, I think, a reflection of his deep understanding

of how that was such an important issue in our time. Pope Francis made his last public appearance less than 24 hours before his death. He was greeted by cheering crowds on Easter Sunday, the most important date on the Christian calendar. Anna Cunningham has the reaction to his passing. He was wheeled onto the balcony at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, wishing everyone a happy Easter. Dear brothers and sisters, Merry Easter!

But his traditional Easter address and blessing was read by an aide. His death today, despite his age and illness, will still come as a shock to many Catholics. Tributes have come from around the world. French President Emmanuel Macron calling Pope Francis a man of humility, on the side of the most vulnerable and most fragile. Polish President Andrzej Duda says the Pope was a great apostle of mercy. Germany's Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz says Pope Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the Society's weakest members.

The Pontiff's death comes on a jubilee year for the Catholic Church. He was its first Latin American leader. After a period of mourning and his funeral, cardinals from around the world will gather in the Vatican to choose the next Pope. Anna Cunningham, CBC News, London. On home soil now, today is the last day advance polls are open. Elections Canada says two million people have already voted on Friday alone. These voters cast their ballots this weekend at Ottawa City Hall. It's our right and our responsibility to participate in this process. It's a long weekend so it's, you know, beautiful weather, it's nice to just wander down here and yeah, take that off the list. Well, I think we're not the only ones who feel that this is a

monumental election. For voters still making up their minds, election day is exactly one week away. Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-François Blanchet appeared on the most popular French talk show in the country last night. Monsieur Blanchet says he thinks Liberal leader Marc Carney will become the next Prime Minister. He made that declaration during an interview on the popular Radio-Canada TV show Tout le Monde est Pâle.

Polls have shown the Liberals leading during the campaign, although the latest numbers show the Conservatives are gaining ground, and the Bloc Québécois is on track to lose seats in Quebec. Although Blanchet says he plans to stay on after the election and he will not resign. And that is all for The World This Hour. Thanks for listening. Remember, you can catch us wherever you get your podcasts. The World This Hour is updated every hour, 7 days a week.

And for news anytime, just go to our website, cbcnews.ca. For CBC News, I'm Gina Labise-Mor.