Pope Francis lies in state as the Vatican prepares his funeral services. Also, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faces increasing calls to resign after he allegedly shared military plans in a second Signal chat with family members. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Pope Francis to lie in state, funeral scheduled for Saturday: Vatican
The Vatican announced funeral services for Pope Francis, who died early Monday morning, April 21. Francis, 88, suffered a stroke that caused heart failure, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s health department, confirmed
The late pontiff will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where a public viewing will begin on Wednesday, April 23. A funeral will follow on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square.
The College of Cardinals said a procession for Francis’ casket will also occur from the Apostolic Palace, where he lived. Per the pope’s request, the church will bury Francis in a “simple” tomb outside the Vatican walls in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
President Donald Trump announced Monday night, April 21, that he and first lady Melania Trump will attend the funeral.
Meanwhile, Kevin Farrell, a cardinal from the United States, has become the acting head of the Vatican. Cardinals have begun to gather in Rome to elect Francis’ successor. Many will arrive Tuesday, April 22, from all over the world.
It usually takes between two and three weeks. There are 135 cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to vote. The college will begin the process of electing a new pope, known as the “conclave,” in early to mid-May at the Sistine Chapel.
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GOP lawmaker calls for Hegseth’s resignation over Signal chats
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces growing resignation calls from his party after revelations of his participation in a second Signal chat on U.S. strategies to target Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, a retired military officer and prominent Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, called for Hegseth’s resignation.
“I had concerns from the get-go because Pete Hegseth didn’t have a lot of experience. I like him on Fox, but does he have the experience to lead one of the largest organizations in the world? That’s a concern,” Bacon told Politico during an interview.
Bacon added that if reports are true about Hegseth’s use of Signal, it’s “unacceptable” and he wouldn’t “tolerate” it if he were “in charge.”
According to one U.S. official who spoke anonymously with NPR, the White House has started to look for Hegseth’s replacement. However, the White House has continued to push back on any report against Hegseth, denying the NPR story and calling it “fake news.”
Straight Arrow News reporter Lauren Keenan has more on how the Trump administration has responded to the new report here.
Regardless, Bacon posted to X, advising senior Trump administration officials to assume their phones are “closely monitored by China and Russia,” stating they’re top priority targets.
Senior admin officials must assume their phones are closely monitored by China & Russia. They’re top priority targets. Our adversaries can put thousands of people in position just to monitor their phones & to penetrate perceived secure applications on non-secure phones. I’ve…
— Rep. Don Bacon 🇺🇸✈️🏍️⭐️🎖️ (@RepDonBacon) April 21, 2025
“Our adversaries can put thousands of people in position just to monitor their phones and to penetrate perceived secure applications on non-secure phones,” Bacon said.
Harvard sues Trump administration over funding freeze
Harvard University has sued the Trump administration, initiating a legal battle that could take years and reach the U.S. Supreme Court. The lawsuit follows the federal government’s decision to freeze $2.2 billion in grants.
Harvard accused the government of seeking “unprecedented and improper” control over American colleges and universities.
In a statement on Monday, Harvard’s president claimed, “The consequences of the government’s overreach will be severe and long-lasting.”
The Ivy League university accused the administration of ignoring the First Amendment and other federal laws and regulations. It asked a federal judge in Massachusetts to declare the president’s funding cut-off unconstitutional.
Last week, the Trump administration froze federal funding after the school refused demands aimed at addressing antisemitism on campus. The government’s demands include an audit of student views and a ban on international students deemed “hostile to American values and institutions.”
Columbia activist denied temporary release for son’s birth
The Columbia University graduate student in custody in Louisiana for leading anti-Israel demonstrations last year is now a father. The wife of Mahmoud Khalil gave birth to a baby boy in New York on Monday.
Khalil was not present for the birth.
The federal government has referred to Khalil, born in Syria and in the U.S. as a legal permanent resident, as a national security risk.
An immigration judge in louisiana sided with the government and ruled he can be deported. Lawyers for khalil are now appealing.
His wife, Noor Abdalla, stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement denied Khalil’s travel to New York for their son’s birth.
“ICE and the trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mohmoud’s support for Palestinian freedom.”
Noor Abdalla, the wife of Mahmoud Khalil
Department of Education to resume collections on defaulted loans
The pause on payments for many American student loan borrowers is nearing its conclusion.
The Trump administration will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans on May 5 after a 30-day notice to borrowers. Wage garnishment will begin later this summer.
Starting May 5, the Department will resume collections to protect taxpayers from shouldering the cost of student loans. Federal student loans are financed by the American people and must be paid back. https://t.co/yQmP12Tojy pic.twitter.com/5tsrc8yu8B
— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) April 21, 2025
Since March 2020, no federal student loans have been sent to collections, as the Education Department paused payments and collections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By the close of 2024, roughly 5.5 million borrowers had defaulted. Education department officials indicated on Monday, April 21, that fewer than half of borrowers are up-to-date on their student loans.
The department stated it will encourage borrowers to enroll in income-driven repayment programs or participate in loan rehabilitation, among other options.
Alex Ovechkin makes history, again, with NHL playoff overtime goal
The NHL playoffs have begun, with the coveted Stanley Cup — hockey’s ultimate prize — awaiting the team that secures victory in four series and 16 games over roughly two months. Meanwhile, in Washington, Alex Ovechkin’s remarkable year goes on.
Alex Ovechkin tonight:
— NHL (@NHL) April 22, 2025
2 goals
1 assist
4 shots
7 hits
And scored his first OT winner in his 152nd career #StanleyCup Playoffs game
39 years old. pic.twitter.com/t3U0vFC4C1
Just weeks after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for most goals ever scored in the NHL, Ovechkin scored his first game-winning overtime goal as the Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-to-2 in the first game of their first-ever series.
Ovechkin, in his 20th season, received a pass from Anthony Beauvillier and fired it home. This marked his second goal of the matchup as the Capitals secured their first victory.
