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Gaza’s Catholics mourn Pope Francis. ‘He used to call us at 7 p.m. every night’
Pope Francis called to check in on a Christian congregation in Gaza sheltering at their church almost every night since the Gaza war began. "Today we feel like we are orphans," a spokesperson says.
After Pope Francis’ death, debates begin over his successor
In the weeks that follow the passing of a pontiff, the city of Rome, and the Vatican in particular, comes alive with discussions over which man is best suited to next lead the Church.
Looking for a new book this week? Here are 5 wide-ranging options
A true smorgasbord is on offer for readers this week. Care for an inspirational memoir? Reminders of the precarious position of civilization? Early summer read? They're all here.
Sen. Jack Reed calls for investigation into Pete Hegseth’s Signal chat
NPR asks Sen. Jack Reed, top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, why he wants an investigation into whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared classified intelligence in a Signal chat.
Trump wants a Golden Dome over America. Here’s what it would take
Experts are divided whether a new missile defense system for the U.S., inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, would be worth the cost.
Senate Democrats press Hegseth for answers on Trump order to ban transgender troops
Lawmakers are asking the Defense Secretary to explain how the Pentagon is complying with court rulings blocking President Trump's executive order attempting to ban transgender troops from service.
Joan Didion leaves one more piece of writing to faithful fans
Didion's book is an intimate chronicle of the author's struggle to help her daughter, even if it meant digging into her own long-unexamined neuroses.
Public viewing for Pope Francis begins Wednesday ahead of Saturday funeral
Faithful from around the world are pouring into the Vatican, where Pope Francis' body will go on display Wednesday, ahead of a funeral Saturday.
Hundreds of scholars say U.S. is swiftly heading toward authoritarianism
Most — but not all — political scientists are deeply troubled by the president's attempts to expand executive power, according to a national survey.
Supreme Court weighs who should decide public school curriculum: Judges or school boards?
At issue is whether school systems are required to allow parents to opt their kids out of classes because of religious objections to classroom materials.
Help for ACA health plans could be harder to come by since RFK axed teams of ‘fixers’
Federal workers who help resolve complicated problems for Affordable Care Act policyholders are among those recently cut by the Trump administration.
Meet the artists behind the UN’s second annual nature sounds mixtape
30 artists release songs with nature sounds to generate royalties for nature conservation in second annual United Nations Earth Day mixtape
Walgreens to pay up to $350 million in U.S. opioid settlement
The nationwide drugstore chain must pay the government at least $300 million and will owe another $50 million if the company is sold, merged, or transferred before 2032, according to the settlement.
Harvard sues Trump administration to stop a freeze of more than $2 billion in grants
Harvard University announced Monday that it has filed suit to halt a federal freeze on more than $2.2 billion in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administration's demands to limit activism on campus.
Mahmoud Khalil misses son’s birth after ICE official denies his request to be there
Khalil has been held in Louisiana since ICE agents arrested him in New York over his pro-Palestinian activism. He instead experienced the birth by phone.
Trump Administration to resume collections on student loan borrowers in default
The Education Department says millions of borrowers in default will have a chance to make a payment or sign up for a repayment plan. But on May 5, those who don't will be referred for collection.
The Justice Department and Google battle over how to fix a search engine monopoly
After a federal judge ruled that Google had a monopoly on the search market, the tech giant and the government are in court to debate penalties. One possible result: forcing Google to spin off Chrome.
Trumps welcome thousands to the White House for the annual Easter egg roll
President Trump welcomed an estimated 40,000 people to the South Lawn of the White House on Monday for its annual Easter egg roll event. The annual tradition dates back to the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, and save for war and food shortages, has been a mainstay of Pennsylvania Avenue since 1878.
‘Andor’ and ‘You’ are back this week, along with a new Amy Sherman-Palladino show
Andor, featuring Diego Luna's charismatic performance as a rebel operative, has come at a perfect moment.
DHL will stop shipping packages over $800 to U.S. customers due to new customs rules
The shipping company's temporary new policy comes as President Trump continues to upend U.S. global trade policy.
A look back at Pope Francis’ life and legacy
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis died Monday, the day after Easter, at the age of 88. As the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, he was the first Latin American pontiff, the first non-European pope in more than a millennium, and he left behind a legacy of service, unity, and compassion.
Pope Francis died of a stroke and ‘cardiocirculatory collapse’
The official certification came from professor Andrea Arcangeli, the director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, according to Vatican News, an official publication of the Vatican.
Do you have memories of Pope Francis to share? Send them our way
Pope Francis, one of the most popular popes in decades, has died. As the world mourns and reflects on his legacy, NPR would like to hear your stories.
Pope Francis is remembered around the world for his generosity of spirit
The pope's death at the age of 88 ends a 12-year papacy that began with the historic resignation of Francis' predecessor in 2013.
These 2 funny books give readers a reason to smile in tough times
Dorothy Parker's posthumously published collection is Poems; Camilla Barnes' debut novel is The Usual Desire to Kill. Both affirm: sharp humor can be grounded in pain.
After years of avoiding the ER, Noah Wyle feels ‘right at home’ in ‘The Pitt’
After 11 seasons on ER, Wyle thought he was finished with medical dramas: "I spent 15 years avoiding — actively avoiding — walking down what I thought was either hallowed ground or traveled road."
Exclusive: The White House is looking to replace Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
The White House has begun the process of looking for a new secretary of defense, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Catholics across the U.S. grieve, pray and reflect on the pope’s legacy
Parishioners pray at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday in New York. (Yuki Iwamura | AP) In New York City, mourners gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan on Monday to […]
With CDC injury prevention team gutted, ‘we will not know what is killing us’
Workers who track data on car crashes, drownings, traumatic brain injury, falls in the elderly, and other perils lost their jobs. Advocates worry life-saving work will stop.
Who is Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the acting head of the Vatican?
Kevin Farrell is the camerlengo, or acting head of the Vatican, until a new pope is elected. Here's what to know about Farrell, who was born in Ireland and spent much of his career in the U.S.
Here’s what ‘Conclave’ got right — and wrong — about the selection of a new pope
The Oscar-winning film is about the papal selection process. But how accurate is it to real life? Rev. Thomas Reese and Sister Susan Rose Francois weigh in on whether it checks out.
A brief history of Trump’s feud with Pope Francis
Trump praised the pope at the start of Francis's papacy, in 2013. But relations soured during the 2016 election, when Francis criticized Trump's proposal to build a wall on the U.S.-Canada border.
