NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose Wednesday as a worldwide rally came back around to Wall Street after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;appeared to back off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-trump-jerome-powel-4710172f1fd4d6493769ac0b81703c01">his criticism of the Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trade-taxes-trump-china-bessent-treasury-66668fa26957ece530a250fa8ea19faa">his tough talk in his trade war</a>.

The S&amp;P 500 climbed 1.7% and added to its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-trump-tariffs-investments-7ee60dbf71e262843eac15ae1564f4cb">big gain</a>&nbsp;from Tuesday that more than made up for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-inflation-trump-68a6a7f7765d78d46329abbecfbe0797">steep loss</a>&nbsp;on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 419 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 2.5%.

Wall Street’s gains followed strong moves higher for stocks across much of Europe and Asia. They also continued a dizzying, up-and-down run for financial markets as investors struggle with how to react to so much uncertainty about what Trump will do with his economic policies.

The market’s latest move was up in part because Trump said late Tuesday that he has “no intention” to fire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-trump-powell-federal-reserve-6eb45ff17915b321366dbe1c5bb15e43">the head</a>&nbsp;of the Federal Reserve. Trump had been angry with Jerome Powell, whom Trump had called “a major loser,” because of the Fed’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-tariffs-federal-reserve-3dd54eb572f1d37e202a8a30223fc14d">hesitance to cut interest rates</a>.

Trump’s tough talk had frightened investors because the Fed is supposed to act independently, without pressure from politicians, so that it can make decisions that may be painful in the short term but are best for the long term.

While a cut to interest rates by the Fed could give the economy a boost, it could also put upward pressure on inflation. Economists say Trump’s tariffs are likely both to slow the economy and to raise inflation, at least briefly.

Trump may have recognized the market’s fear about a move against Powell. He may also be looking to keep someone around whom Trump could blame later if the economy does fall into a recession, according to Thierry Wizman, a strategist at Macquarie.

“Indeed, if the Fed cuts its policy interest rates aggressively, Trump would have little excuse for a recession apart from the pugnacity of his tariff policies,” Wizman said.

Markets also rose after Trump said late Tuesday that U.S. tariffs on imports coming from China could come down “substantially” from the current 145%. “It won’t be that high, not going to be that high,” Trump said.

The hope along Wall Street has been that Trump would lower his tariffs after negotiating trade deals with other countries, and Trump said Tuesday he would be “very nice” to the world’s second-largest economy and not play hardball with Chinese President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-sanctions-hong-kong-89a7c78f16cadbc8ab43717a6f316b76">Xi Jinping</a>.

“There is an opportunity for a big deal here,” U.S. Treasury Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-bessent-imf-world-bank-trump-economy-e1dcdd00d79f7ce16682a080edd341d1">Scott Bessent said Wednesday</a>.

If Trump brings his tariffs down enough, investors believe a recession could be averted.

U.S. businesses say they’re already feeling the effects of the trade war. A preliminary reading of U.S. business activity fell to a 16-month low, as the threat of tariffs helped push up prices charged for goods and services, according to S&amp;P Global’s latest survey released Wednesday.

All the uncertainty means one of the few predictions many along Wall Street are willing to make is that sharp swings for financial markets will continue for a while. The market will “more likely than not continue to be dictated by Trump’s latest whims regarding tariffs and trade,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

The S&amp;P 500 remains 12.5% below its record set earlier this year after briefly dropping roughly 20% below the mark. Its swings have been coming not just day to day but also hour to hour as Trump and his administration’s officials continue to surprise markets. On Wednesday alone, the S&amp;P 500 charged to a 3.4% gain in the morning, only to more than halve that rise as the day progressed.

Trump’s latest comments had a relaxing effect on the bond market, where Treasury yields eased. It’s a turnaround from earlier this month, when spiking Treasury yields raised fears that Trump’s actions were scaring investors away from the United States and weakening the U.S. bond market’s reputation as one of the safest places to keep cash.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.38% from 4.41% late Tuesday. It dropped as low as 4.26% earlier in the morning.

On Wall Street, Big Tech helped lead stock indexes higher.

Nvidia rose 3.9% to claw back more of the sharp losses it took last week, when it said U.S. restrictions on exports of its H20 chips to China could hurt its first-quarter results by $5.5 billion. The chip company’s stock was the strongest single force lifting the S&amp;P 500.

Other stocks in the artificial-intelligence technology ecosystem also drove higher. Vertiv Holdings, which traces its roots to the industry’s first manufacturer of computer room air conditioning, jumped 8.5% after reporting stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It said it’s continuing to see accelerated demand from AI data centers.

Super Micro Computer, a company that makes servers used in AI, rose 7.6%. Palantir Technologies, which offers an AI platform for customers, climbed 7.3%.

Tesla revved 5.4% higher after CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-musk-robotaxi-model-y-tariffs-earnings-2d0b5607c26c56761a436af855199513">Elon Musk said he’ll spend less time in Washington</a>&nbsp;and more time running his electric vehicle company after Tesla on late Tuesday reported a big drop in profits. It’s been struggling because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-deliveries-trump-musk-protests-boycott-67da667cd1267789fecf68376f2b5d14">backlash</a>&nbsp;against Musk’s efforts to lead cost-cutting efforts by the U.S. government.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 88.10 points to 5,375.86. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 419.59 to 39,606.57, and the Nasdaq composite gained 407.63 to 16,708.05.

In stock markets abroad, indexes jumped 2.1% in France, 2.4% in Hong Kong and 1.9% in Japan. Stocks in Shanghai were an exception, where they dipped 0.1%.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose Wednesday as a worldwide rally came back around to Wall Street after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;appeared to back off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-trump-jerome-powel-4710172f1fd4d6493769ac0b81703c01">his criticism of the Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trade-taxes-trump-china-bessent-treasury-66668fa26957ece530a250fa8ea19faa">his tough talk in his trade war</a>.The S&amp;P 500 climbed 1.7% and added to its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-trump-tariffs-investments-7ee60dbf71e262843eac15ae1564f4cb">big gain</a>&nbsp;from Tuesday that more than made up for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-inflation-trump-68a6a7f7765d78d46329abbecfbe0797">steep loss</a>&nbsp;on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 419 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 2.5%.Wall Street’s gains followed strong moves higher for stocks across much of Europe and Asia. They also continued a dizzying, up-and-down run for financial markets as investors struggle with how to react to so much uncertainty about what Trump will do with his economic policies.The market’s latest move was up in part because Trump said late Tuesday that he has “no intention” to fire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-trump-powell-federal-reserve-6eb45ff17915b321366dbe1c5bb15e43">the head</a>&nbsp;of the Federal Reserve. Trump had been angry with Jerome Powell, whom Trump had called “a major loser,” because of the Fed’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-tariffs-federal-reserve-3dd54eb572f1d37e202a8a30223fc14d">hesitance to cut interest rates</a>.Trump’s tough talk had frightened investors because the Fed is supposed to act independently, without pressure from politicians, so that it can make decisions that may be painful in the short term but are best for the long term.While a cut to interest rates by the Fed could give the economy a boost, it could also put upward pressure on inflation. Economists say Trump’s tariffs are likely both to slow the economy and to raise inflation, at least briefly.Trump may have recognized the market’s fear about a move against Powell. He may also be looking to keep someone around whom Trump could blame later if the economy does fall into a recession, according to Thierry Wizman, a strategist at Macquarie.“Indeed, if the Fed cuts its policy interest rates aggressively, Trump would have little excuse for a recession apart from the pugnacity of his tariff policies,” Wizman said.Markets also rose after Trump said late Tuesday that U.S. tariffs on imports coming from China could come down “substantially” from the current 145%. “It won’t be that high, not going to be that high,” Trump said.The hope along Wall Street has been that Trump would lower his tariffs after negotiating trade deals with other countries, and Trump said Tuesday he would be “very nice” to the world’s second-largest economy and not play hardball with Chinese President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-sanctions-hong-kong-89a7c78f16cadbc8ab43717a6f316b76">Xi Jinping</a>.“There is an opportunity for a big deal here,” U.S. Treasury Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-bessent-imf-world-bank-trump-economy-e1dcdd00d79f7ce16682a080edd341d1">Scott Bessent said Wednesday</a>.If Trump brings his tariffs down enough, investors believe a recession could be averted.U.S. businesses say they’re already feeling the effects of the trade war. A preliminary reading of U.S. business activity fell to a 16-month low, as the threat of tariffs helped push up prices charged for goods and services, according to S&amp;P Global’s latest survey released Wednesday.All the uncertainty means one of the few predictions many along Wall Street are willing to make is that sharp swings for financial markets will continue for a while. The market will “more likely than not continue to be dictated by Trump’s latest whims regarding tariffs and trade,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.The S&amp;P 500 remains 12.5% below its record set earlier this year after briefly dropping roughly 20% below the mark. Its swings have been coming not just day to day but also hour to hour as Trump and his administration’s officials continue to surprise markets. On Wednesday alone, the S&amp;P 500 charged to a 3.4% gain in the morning, only to more than halve that rise as the day progressed.Trump’s latest comments had a relaxing effect on the bond market, where Treasury yields eased. It’s a turnaround from earlier this month, when spiking Treasury yields raised fears that Trump’s actions were scaring investors away from the United States and weakening the U.S. bond market’s reputation as one of the safest places to keep cash.The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.38% from 4.41% late Tuesday. It dropped as low as 4.26% earlier in the morning.On Wall Street, Big Tech helped lead stock indexes higher.Nvidia rose 3.9% to claw back more of the sharp losses it took last week, when it said U.S. restrictions on exports of its H20 chips to China could hurt its first-quarter results by $5.5 billion. The chip company’s stock was the strongest single force lifting the S&amp;P 500.Other stocks in the artificial-intelligence technology ecosystem also drove higher. Vertiv Holdings, which traces its roots to the industry’s first manufacturer of computer room air conditioning, jumped 8.5% after reporting stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It said it’s continuing to see accelerated demand from AI data centers.Super Micro Computer, a company that makes servers used in AI, rose 7.6%. Palantir Technologies, which offers an AI platform for customers, climbed 7.3%.Tesla revved 5.4% higher after CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-musk-robotaxi-model-y-tariffs-earnings-2d0b5607c26c56761a436af855199513">Elon Musk said he’ll spend less time in Washington</a>&nbsp;and more time running his electric vehicle company after Tesla on late Tuesday reported a big drop in profits. It’s been struggling because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-deliveries-trump-musk-protests-boycott-67da667cd1267789fecf68376f2b5d14">backlash</a>&nbsp;against Musk’s efforts to lead cost-cutting efforts by the U.S. government.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 88.10 points to 5,375.86. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 419.59 to 39,606.57, and the Nasdaq composite gained 407.63 to 16,708.05.In stock markets abroad, indexes jumped 2.1% in France, 2.4% in Hong Kong and 1.9% in Japan. Stocks in Shanghai were an exception, where they dipped 0.1%.___

Wall Street rises, markets rally worldwide as Trump softens tough talk on tariffs

TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported no new case of measles over the past week in the state.&nbsp;

On April 16,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas</a>&nbsp;had 37 cases in eight counties in the southwest part of the state, health officials announced Wednesday.

Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray and Morton counties have fewer than five cases each. Haskell County has the most with eight cases, Stevens County has seven, Kiowa County has six.

The state's first reported case, identified in Stevens County on March 13, is linked to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks based on genetic testing, a state health department spokesperson said. But health officials have not determined how the person was exposed.

The U.S. was up to 800&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">cases of measles</a>&nbsp;nationwide on Friday.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children</a>&nbsp;died from measles-related illnesses in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">the epicenter in West Texas,</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">adult in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness.

Other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">states with active outbreaks</a>&nbsp;— defined as three or more cases — include Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Mexico. The U.S. has more than double the number of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-mmr-vaccine-texas-rfk-ff8e744b19ead87698d7217de02814ee">measles cases</a>&nbsp;it saw in all of 2024.

North America has two other outbreaks. One in Ontario, Canada, has sickened 925 from mid-October through April 16. And as of Tuesday, the Mexican state of Chihuahua state has 514 measles cases, according to data from the state health ministry. The World Health Organization has said cases in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON561">Mexico</a>&nbsp;are linked to the Texas outbreak.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-mmr-outbreak-vaccines-408371700e3ab548777bf0354e586549">Measles</a>&nbsp;is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

As the virus takes hold in other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">U.S. communities with low vaccination rates</a>, health experts fear the virus that the spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">could stretch on for a year</a>. Here's what else you&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">need to know about measles in the U.S.</a>

How many measles cases are there in Texas and New Mexico?

Texas state health officials said Tuesday there were 27 new cases of measles since Friday, bringing the total to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sxSwi/?v=7">624 across 26 counties</a>&nbsp;— most of them in West Texas. Two more Texans were hospitalized, for a total of 64 throughout the outbreak, and Bailey County logged its first two cases.

State health officials estimated about 2% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious.

Sixty-two percent of Texas' cases are in Gaines County, population 22,892, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has had 386 cases since late January — just over 1% of the county's residents.

The April 3 death in Texas was an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">8-year-old child,</a>&nbsp;according to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Health officials in Texas said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child's doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.” A unvaccinated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas</a>&nbsp;in late February — Kennedy said age 6.

New Mexico announced two new cases Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 65. Six people have been hospitalized since the outbreak started. Most of the state's cases are in Lea County. Two are in Eddy County and Chaves and Doña Ana counties have one each.

State health officials say the cases are linked to Texas’ outbreak based on genetic testing. New Mexico reported its first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">measles-related death in an adult</a>&nbsp;on March 6.

Oklahoma confirmed one more case Tuesday for a total cases of 13: 10 confirmed and three probable. The first two probable cases were “associated” with the West Texas and New Mexico outbreaks, the state health department said.

Custer, Oklahoma and Cleveland counties had public exposures in the past 42 days. The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases.

The Ohio Department of Health confirmed 30 measles cases in the state Thursday. The state county includes only Ohio residents.

There are 14 cases in Ashtabula County near Cleveland, 14 in Knox County and one each in Allen and Holmes counties, the state said. The outbreak in Ashtabula County started with an unvaccinated adult who had interacted with someone who had traveled internationally.

Health officials in Knox County, in east-central Ohio, say there are a total of 20 people with measles, but seven of them do not live in Ohio. In 2022, a measles outbreak in central Ohio sickened 85.

Indiana confirmed two more cases Monday in an outbreak that has sickened eight in Allen County in the northeast part of the state — five are unvaccinated minors and three are adults whose vaccination status is unknown. The cases have no known link to other outbreaks, the Allen County Department of Health said Monday.

How many cases are there in Pennsylvania?

In far northwest Pennsylvania, Erie County health officials declared a measles outbreak April 14 after finding two new cases linked to a measles case confirmed March 30.

The state has had nine cases overall this year, six of which are not linked to the outbreak, including international travel-related cases in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/documents/2025%20HAN/2025-787-3-13-ADV-%20Measles.pdf">Montgomery County and one in Philadelphia</a>.

Montcalm County, near Grand Rapids in western Michigan, has four linked measles cases. State health officials say the cases are tied to a large measles outbreak in Ontario, Canada.

The state has eight confirmed measles cases as of Monday, but the remaining four are not part of the Montcalm County outbreak. Michigan's last measles outbreak was in 2019.

Montana state health officials announced five cases Thursday in unvaccinated children and adults who had traveled out of state, and confirmed it was an outbreak on Monday. All five are isolating at home in Gallatin County in the southwest part of the state.

State health officials are working to trace exposures in Bozeman and Belgrade.

They are Montana's first measles cases in 35 years. Health officials didn't say whether the cases are linked to other outbreaks in North America.

Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?

There have been 800 cases in 2025 as of Friday, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 10 clusters — defined as three or more related cases.

Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.

Cases and outbreaks in the U.S. are frequently traced to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-asia-measles-rates-unicef-who-report-2f888732cc297090238956986fd89cc4">someone who caught the disease abroad</a>. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles.

What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine?

The best way to avoid measles is to get the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html">measles, mumps and rubella</a>&nbsp;vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.

People who have documentation that they had measles are immune and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because most children back then had measles and now have “presumptive immunity.”

In communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called “herd immunity.”

But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots. The U.S. saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-cdc-outbreak-chicago-mmr-vaccine-7ecdfef41e6dbd659c7ac8b80d5de38f">a rise in measles cases in 2024</a>, including an outbreak in Chicago that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-chicago-migrant-shelter-cdc-e58517c830f73e42266d45d45983c12b">sickened more than 60.</a>

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html">dangerous complications</a>&nbsp;such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.

There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745434536952.png" alt="KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported no new case of measles over the past week in the state.&nbsp;On April 16,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas</a>&nbsp;had 37 cases in eight counties in the southwest part of the state, health officials announced Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745435062298.png" alt="KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray and Morton counties have fewer than five cases each. Haskell County has the most with eight cases, Stevens County has seven, Kiowa County has six.The state's first reported case, identified in Stevens County on March 13, is linked to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks based on genetic testing, a state health department spokesperson said. But health officials have not determined how the person was exposed.The U.S. was up to 800&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">cases of measles</a>&nbsp;nationwide on Friday.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children</a>&nbsp;died from measles-related illnesses in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">the epicenter in West Texas,</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">adult in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness.Other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">states with active outbreaks</a>&nbsp;— defined as three or more cases — include Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Mexico. The U.S. has more than double the number of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-mmr-vaccine-texas-rfk-ff8e744b19ead87698d7217de02814ee">measles cases</a>&nbsp;it saw in all of 2024.North America has two other outbreaks. One in Ontario, Canada, has sickened 925 from mid-October through April 16. And as of Tuesday, the Mexican state of Chihuahua state has 514 measles cases, according to data from the state health ministry. The World Health Organization has said cases in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON561">Mexico</a>&nbsp;are linked to the Texas outbreak.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-mmr-outbreak-vaccines-408371700e3ab548777bf0354e586549">Measles</a>&nbsp;is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.As the virus takes hold in other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">U.S. communities with low vaccination rates</a>, health experts fear the virus that the spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">could stretch on for a year</a>. Here's what else you&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">need to know about measles in the U.S.</a><h2>How many measles cases are there in Texas and New Mexico?</h2>Texas state health officials said Tuesday there were 27 new cases of measles since Friday, bringing the total to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sxSwi/?v=7">624 across 26 counties</a>&nbsp;— most of them in West Texas. Two more Texans were hospitalized, for a total of 64 throughout the outbreak, and Bailey County logged its first two cases.State health officials estimated about 2% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious.Sixty-two percent of Texas' cases are in Gaines County, population 22,892, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has had 386 cases since late January — just over 1% of the county's residents.The April 3 death in Texas was an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">8-year-old child,</a>&nbsp;according to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Health officials in Texas said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child's doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.” A unvaccinated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas</a>&nbsp;in late February — Kennedy said age 6.New Mexico announced two new cases Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 65. Six people have been hospitalized since the outbreak started. Most of the state's cases are in Lea County. Two are in Eddy County and Chaves and Doña Ana counties have one each.State health officials say the cases are linked to Texas’ outbreak based on genetic testing. New Mexico reported its first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">measles-related death in an adult</a>&nbsp;on March 6.<h2>How many cases are there in Oklahoma?</h2>Oklahoma confirmed one more case Tuesday for a total cases of 13: 10 confirmed and three probable. The first two probable cases were “associated” with the West Texas and New Mexico outbreaks, the state health department said.Custer, Oklahoma and Cleveland counties had public exposures in the past 42 days. The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases.<h2>How many cases are there in Ohio?</h2>The Ohio Department of Health confirmed 30 measles cases in the state Thursday. The state county includes only Ohio residents.There are 14 cases in Ashtabula County near Cleveland, 14 in Knox County and one each in Allen and Holmes counties, the state said. The outbreak in Ashtabula County started with an unvaccinated adult who had interacted with someone who had traveled internationally.Health officials in Knox County, in east-central Ohio, say there are a total of 20 people with measles, but seven of them do not live in Ohio. In 2022, a measles outbreak in central Ohio sickened 85.<h2>How many cases are there in Indiana?</h2>Indiana confirmed two more cases Monday in an outbreak that has sickened eight in Allen County in the northeast part of the state — five are unvaccinated minors and three are adults whose vaccination status is unknown. The cases have no known link to other outbreaks, the Allen County Department of Health said Monday.<h2>How many cases are there in Pennsylvania?</h2>In far northwest Pennsylvania, Erie County health officials declared a measles outbreak April 14 after finding two new cases linked to a measles case confirmed March 30.The state has had nine cases overall this year, six of which are not linked to the outbreak, including international travel-related cases in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/documents/2025%20HAN/2025-787-3-13-ADV-%20Measles.pdf">Montgomery County and one in Philadelphia</a>.<h2>How many cases are there in Michigan?</h2>Montcalm County, near Grand Rapids in western Michigan, has four linked measles cases. State health officials say the cases are tied to a large measles outbreak in Ontario, Canada.The state has eight confirmed measles cases as of Monday, but the remaining four are not part of the Montcalm County outbreak. Michigan's last measles outbreak was in 2019.<h2>How many cases are there in Montana?</h2>Montana state health officials announced five cases Thursday in unvaccinated children and adults who had traveled out of state, and confirmed it was an outbreak on Monday. All five are isolating at home in Gallatin County in the southwest part of the state.State health officials are working to trace exposures in Bozeman and Belgrade.They are Montana's first measles cases in 35 years. Health officials didn't say whether the cases are linked to other outbreaks in North America.<h2>Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?</h2>There have been 800 cases in 2025 as of Friday, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 10 clusters — defined as three or more related cases.Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.Cases and outbreaks in the U.S. are frequently traced to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-asia-measles-rates-unicef-who-report-2f888732cc297090238956986fd89cc4">someone who caught the disease abroad</a>. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles.<h2>What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine?</h2>The best way to avoid measles is to get the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html">measles, mumps and rubella</a>&nbsp;vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.People who have documentation that they had measles are immune and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because most children back then had measles and now have “presumptive immunity.”In communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called “herd immunity.”But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots. The U.S. saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-cdc-outbreak-chicago-mmr-vaccine-7ecdfef41e6dbd659c7ac8b80d5de38f">a rise in measles cases in 2024</a>, including an outbreak in Chicago that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-chicago-migrant-shelter-cdc-e58517c830f73e42266d45d45983c12b">sickened more than 60.</a><h2>What are the symptoms of measles?</h2>Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html">dangerous complications</a>&nbsp;such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.<h2>How can you treat measles?</h2>There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.___

KDHE reports good news on number of measles cases in the state

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis was thankful that he was able to greet throngs of people in St. Peter’s Square on Easter,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">a day before he died</a>, though he initially had some doubts given his poor health, Vatican News reported Tuesday.

The Argentine pontiff, who had been recovering after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">died Monday at age 88</a>. He made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-easter-sunday-photos-4651ecd21edad5f77af0eb228144b4c5">his last public appearance</a>&nbsp;Sunday, delivering a blessing and looping around Vatican City’s famous square in his popemobile.

Francis initially had doubts about the ride, Vatican News reported. “Do you think I can manage it?’’ the pope asked Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal health care assistant, according to the news agency.

The pope was reassured, and he stopped to reach out to people, especially children, as he was driven through the crowd of 50,000 — the first time since his release from the hospital that he had mixed with the faithful at large. Afterward, Francis told Strappetti, “Thank you for bringing me back to the square,” Vatican News said.

The pope showed the first signs of illness round 5:30 a.m. the next day and fell into a coma an hour later, Vatican News reported.

His Easter appearance from the same loggia where he was introduced to the world as the first pope from the Americas on March 13, 2013, was a fitting bookend to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-key-dates-0d33f7c8adca4c22a8e9bebeb5d3cdcc">12-year papacy</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-career-highlights-589cbd4ffd574d6c9c2674add1b564c9">sought to shake up the church</a>&nbsp;and return it to its Gospel-mandated mission of caring for the poorest.

Francis’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">funeral will be held Saturday</a>&nbsp;at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. U.S. President Donald Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend, and Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected.

He will lie in state starting Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff.

According to current norms, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/papal-succession-plan-what-happens-798029dfb83f4c03b61de5d9cf6945ff">conclave to choose Francis’ successor</a>&nbsp;must begin between May 5 and 10.

“He truly gave everything he had, up to the end,” said Sister Nathalie Becquart, one of the highest-ranking women at the Vatican.

While the ordinary faithful will have an opportunity to pay their respects beginning Wednesday, Vatican officials were allowed to say their goodbyes starting Monday evening. Speaking to reporters after she paid her respects, Becquart marveled at Francis’ final Easter salute to his flock. “He really walked with his people,” she said.

Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said it was specifically Francis’ effort to promote the role of women in the church that will be one of his greatest legacies. Ravasi noted that Francis chose to be buried near his favorite icon of the Madonna, in a basilica across town, and not in the grottoes underneath St. Peter’s, as is typical for popes.

“He wanted to be buried under the shadow of a woman, in this case Maria,” said Ravasi, the Vatican’s former culture minister as he arrived for Tuesday’s first meeting of cardinals charting the next steps. “That is significant, his desire for the church to do more for women.”

The first images of Francis’ body were released Tuesday, showing him in red vestments and his bishop’s miter in a wooden casket, with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived and died.

In his final will, Francis said he wanted to be buried at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">St. Mary Major Basilica</a>, which is home to the Salus Populi Romani icon of Mary. Before and after every foreign trip, Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a jeweled golden book.

Francis stopped by the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after his 38-day stay, to deliver flowers to be placed before the icon. He returned April 12 to pray before it one last time.

Bells tolled in chapels, churches and cathedrals around the world and flags flew at half-staff in Italy, India, Taiwan and the U.S. after Francis’ death was announced by the camerlengo, who takes charge of the Vatican after a pope’s death. Soccer matches in Italy and Argentina were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-soccer-san-lorenzo-b8687e9b67c05af7f0e7920af0fb942a">suspended</a>&nbsp;in honor of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-obit-milei-catholic-church-politics-b2b6058a734c6cbc728718d1c91372fa">the pope</a>&nbsp;who was a lifelong fan of the San Lorenzo soccer club.

World leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-reaction-78ef38471b2560d74a1e25cbd31cbc7e">praised Francis</a>&nbsp;for his moral leadership and compassion, while ordinary faithful remembered his simplicity and humanity.

“Like every Argentine, I think he was a rebel,” said 23-year-old Catalina Favaro, who had come to pay her respects in the Buenos Aires church where Francis discovered his priestly vocation. “He may have been contradictory, but that was nice, too.”

In East Timor, where Francis’ final outdoor Mass drew nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-asia-east-timor-john-paul-ii-8a12d6cfa771b2603d1044afd4ac68a8">half of the population</a>&nbsp;last September, President Jose Ramos-Horta praised Francis’ courage. “Pope Francis was a brave man who was not afraid to speak out against the rulers of the world who seek war, but do not want to seek peace,” Ramos-Horta said.

“He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home — this Earth — is a gift we must protect for future generations,” said Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

The pope’s formal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and in the Santa Marta hotel were sealed Monday evening, following a centuries-old ritual. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-kevin-farrell-camerlengo-d539db6e09be52a76669dc7f7ac63fd8">as camerlengo</a>&nbsp;had the task of announcing the death and confirming it once the cause was determined, presided over the rituals.

Francis chose not to live in the palace, but in a two-room suite in Santa Marta on the other side of Vatican City. He died there and his body was transferred to the hotel chapel in the lobby, where the private viewing was underway Tuesday for Vatican officials and members of the pontifical household.

In changes made by Francis last year, his body was not placed in three wooden coffins, as it had been for previous popes. Rather, Francis was placed in a simplified wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside.

Once in St. Peter’s, his casket will not be put on an elevated bier — as was the case with past popes — but will just be be placed simply facing the pews, with the Paschal candle nearby.

“He was a pope who didn’t change his path when it came to getting (his hands) dirty,” Francis’ vicar for Rome, Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, said in a Mass in his honor. “For him, poor people and migrants were the sacrament of Jesus.”

After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the “novendiali.” During this period, cardinals arrive in Rome and meet privately before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/papal-succession-plan-what-happens-798029dfb83f4c03b61de5d9cf6945ff">the conclave</a>.

To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the “sede vacante” — the “vacant See” — is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree.

Once the conclave begins, cardinals vote in secret sessions in the Sistine Chapel. After voting sessions, the ballots are burned in a special stove. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745316464619.jpeg" alt="A Catholic nun of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, prays as a portrait of Pope Francis, placed over the saint's tomb following his death, in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)" />
 <figcaption>A Catholic nun of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, prays as a portrait of Pope Francis, placed over the saint's tomb following his death, in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis was thankful that he was able to greet throngs of people in St. Peter’s Square on Easter,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">a day before he died</a>, though he initially had some doubts given his poor health, Vatican News reported Tuesday.The Argentine pontiff, who had been recovering after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">died Monday at age 88</a>. He made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-easter-sunday-photos-4651ecd21edad5f77af0eb228144b4c5">his last public appearance</a>&nbsp;Sunday, delivering a blessing and looping around Vatican City’s famous square in his popemobile.Francis initially had doubts about the ride, Vatican News reported. “Do you think I can manage it?’’ the pope asked Massimiliano Strappetti, his personal health care assistant, according to the news agency.The pope was reassured, and he stopped to reach out to people, especially children, as he was driven through the crowd of 50,000 — the first time since his release from the hospital that he had mixed with the faithful at large. Afterward, Francis told Strappetti, “Thank you for bringing me back to the square,” Vatican News said.The pope showed the first signs of illness round 5:30 a.m. the next day and fell into a coma an hour later, Vatican News reported.His Easter appearance from the same loggia where he was introduced to the world as the first pope from the Americas on March 13, 2013, was a fitting bookend to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-key-dates-0d33f7c8adca4c22a8e9bebeb5d3cdcc">12-year papacy</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-career-highlights-589cbd4ffd574d6c9c2674add1b564c9">sought to shake up the church</a>&nbsp;and return it to its Gospel-mandated mission of caring for the poorest.<h2>Funeral set for Saturday</h2>Francis’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">funeral will be held Saturday</a>&nbsp;at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. U.S. President Donald Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend, and Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected.He will lie in state starting Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff.According to current norms, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/papal-succession-plan-what-happens-798029dfb83f4c03b61de5d9cf6945ff">conclave to choose Francis’ successor</a>&nbsp;must begin between May 5 and 10.<h2>Vatican officials remember Francis</h2>“He truly gave everything he had, up to the end,” said Sister Nathalie Becquart, one of the highest-ranking women at the Vatican.While the ordinary faithful will have an opportunity to pay their respects beginning Wednesday, Vatican officials were allowed to say their goodbyes starting Monday evening. Speaking to reporters after she paid her respects, Becquart marveled at Francis’ final Easter salute to his flock. “He really walked with his people,” she said.Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said it was specifically Francis’ effort to promote the role of women in the church that will be one of his greatest legacies. Ravasi noted that Francis chose to be buried near his favorite icon of the Madonna, in a basilica across town, and not in the grottoes underneath St. Peter’s, as is typical for popes.“He wanted to be buried under the shadow of a woman, in this case Maria,” said Ravasi, the Vatican’s former culture minister as he arrived for Tuesday’s first meeting of cardinals charting the next steps. “That is significant, his desire for the church to do more for women.”The first images of Francis’ body were released Tuesday, showing him in red vestments and his bishop’s miter in a wooden casket, with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived and died.In his final will, Francis said he wanted to be buried at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">St. Mary Major Basilica</a>, which is home to the Salus Populi Romani icon of Mary. Before and after every foreign trip, Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a jeweled golden book.Francis stopped by the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after his 38-day stay, to deliver flowers to be placed before the icon. He returned April 12 to pray before it one last time.<h2>The world reacts</h2>Bells tolled in chapels, churches and cathedrals around the world and flags flew at half-staff in Italy, India, Taiwan and the U.S. after Francis’ death was announced by the camerlengo, who takes charge of the Vatican after a pope’s death. Soccer matches in Italy and Argentina were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-soccer-san-lorenzo-b8687e9b67c05af7f0e7920af0fb942a">suspended</a>&nbsp;in honor of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-obit-milei-catholic-church-politics-b2b6058a734c6cbc728718d1c91372fa">the pope</a>&nbsp;who was a lifelong fan of the San Lorenzo soccer club.World leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-reaction-78ef38471b2560d74a1e25cbd31cbc7e">praised Francis</a>&nbsp;for his moral leadership and compassion, while ordinary faithful remembered his simplicity and humanity.“Like every Argentine, I think he was a rebel,” said 23-year-old Catalina Favaro, who had come to pay her respects in the Buenos Aires church where Francis discovered his priestly vocation. “He may have been contradictory, but that was nice, too.”In East Timor, where Francis’ final outdoor Mass drew nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-asia-east-timor-john-paul-ii-8a12d6cfa771b2603d1044afd4ac68a8">half of the population</a>&nbsp;last September, President Jose Ramos-Horta praised Francis’ courage. “Pope Francis was a brave man who was not afraid to speak out against the rulers of the world who seek war, but do not want to seek peace,” Ramos-Horta said.“He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home — this Earth — is a gift we must protect for future generations,” said Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.<h2>Viewing the pope’s coffin</h2>The pope’s formal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and in the Santa Marta hotel were sealed Monday evening, following a centuries-old ritual. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-kevin-farrell-camerlengo-d539db6e09be52a76669dc7f7ac63fd8">as camerlengo</a>&nbsp;had the task of announcing the death and confirming it once the cause was determined, presided over the rituals.Francis chose not to live in the palace, but in a two-room suite in Santa Marta on the other side of Vatican City. He died there and his body was transferred to the hotel chapel in the lobby, where the private viewing was underway Tuesday for Vatican officials and members of the pontifical household.In changes made by Francis last year, his body was not placed in three wooden coffins, as it had been for previous popes. Rather, Francis was placed in a simplified wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside.Once in St. Peter’s, his casket will not be put on an elevated bier — as was the case with past popes — but will just be be placed simply facing the pews, with the Paschal candle nearby.“He was a pope who didn’t change his path when it came to getting (his hands) dirty,” Francis’ vicar for Rome, Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, said in a Mass in his honor. “For him, poor people and migrants were the sacrament of Jesus.”<h2>Choosing the next pope</h2>After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the “novendiali.” During this period, cardinals arrive in Rome and meet privately before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/papal-succession-plan-what-happens-798029dfb83f4c03b61de5d9cf6945ff">the conclave</a>.To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the “sede vacante” — the “vacant See” — is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree.Once the conclave begins, cardinals vote in secret sessions in the Sistine Chapel. After voting sessions, the ballots are burned in a special stove. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis' final hours; thankful he greeted crowd in the Square

PAWNEE COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 2:30p.m. April 16, in Pawnee County has identified the driver who died as Jason W. Block, 52, Kyle, Texas.

The patrol reported a 2019 Ford F150 driven by Block was westbound on U.S. Highway 56 five miles west of Garfield. The pickup traveled onto the north shoulder, into a ditch, struck a dirt embankment and rolled end over end before coming to rest in the ditch.

Block was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Beckwith Mortuary. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

PAWNEE COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 2:30p.m. April 16, in Pawnee County has identified the driver who died as Jason W. Block, 52, Kyle, Texas.The patrol reported a 2019 Ford F150 driven by Block was westbound on U.S. Highway 56 five miles west of Garfield. The pickup traveled onto the north shoulder, into a ditch, struck a dirt embankment and rolled end over end before coming to rest in the ditch.Block was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Beckwith Mortuary. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

KHP IDs driver who died in rollover accident

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Topeka.

Just before 1a.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to the area near Ripley Park at SE 2nd and California Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.

Officers arrived to the area and&nbsp;found one person suffering from a life-threatening knife wound. That individual was transported to a local hospital where they died of their injuries. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745416435363.png" alt="Photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Topeka.Just before 1a.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to the area near Ripley Park at SE 2nd and California Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.Officers arrived to the area and&nbsp;found one person suffering from a life-threatening knife wound. That individual was transported to a local hospital where they died of their injuries.

Police: One dead after knife attack near Kansas park

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/richard-durbin">Dick Durbin</a>&nbsp;of Illinois said Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending his more than four-decade career representing Illinois and piling more pressure on the party as it already faced a difficult path to reclaiming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-94b49277db2a5c21f23236794a36afa6">a majority in the Senate</a>.

The decision by Durbin, who is in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-constitutions-chicago-elections-ea6a729822a40376ee979aa15191c3f2">his fifth Senate term</a>&nbsp;and is the chamber’s No. 2 Democrat, will set off a flurry of activity among a scrum of would-be successors, both Democratic and Republican. But in a state that has grown more solidly Democratic, the GOP has captured a Senate seat just twice for six-year terms since 1984.

“The decision of whether to run has not been easy," Durbin said in a video posted to X. “I truly love the job of being a United States senator. But in my heart I know it’s time to pass the torch.”

Durbin, who’s 80, was first elected to the U.S. House in 1982 and served seven terms before succeeding his mentor, Paul Simon, in the Senate in 1996. From that post, he helped shape the career of an up-and-comer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a>, who was only four years into his first term in the Senate when he was elected president.

Durbin is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture committees. His caucus colleagues have chosen him as Democratic whip, the party’s No. 2 position, biennially since 2005.

He has been consistently liberal in Congress. Govtrack’s 2024 report card on Congress lists him as the Senate’s 14th most liberal member — right behind Illinois’ junior senator, Tammy Duckworth.

Among Durbin’s more significant legislative achievements, he is largely credited with putting in motion the movement to ban indoor smoking. Having watched his 53-year-old father die of lung cancer when he was 14, Durbin won approval of legislation he sponsored in 1987 prohibiting smoking on short commercial flights and expanded it to nearly all domestic flights two years later.

“People started asking, ‘If secondhand smoke wasn’t safe on airplanes — why is it safe in public buildings, schools, hospitals or restaurants?’ The answer is simple: It’s not,” Durbin said on the 25th anniversary of the law.

In the early 2000s, he introduced the DREAM Act, which would give immigrants in the U.S. illegally who grew up in the country a pathway toward U.S. citizenship.

It’s never become law, but in 2010, Durbin and Sen. Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, wrote Obama asking him to stop deporting so-called Dreamers. Obama responded with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which has covered about 830,000 immigrants, according to Durbin’s office.

Durbin was instrumental in reversing a War on Drugs-era law that penalized crack cocaine in a 100-to-1 ratio to powder cocaine, a law that disproportionately hit Black defendants with long prison terms. The new law was made retroactive, reducing the sentences for those serving time for crack.

And with Republican and Democratic co-sponsors, Durbin pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f1693a68cb474f65a65bfb0e337009a5">the First Step Act</a>, which President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5976d8ff40f148dda8199efc8e575475">signed into law</a>&nbsp;in 2018. The criminal justice system revamp aimed to make sentencing laws fairer and provide programs to help people who are incarcerated transition in returning to society.

Richard Durbin was born in 1944 in East St. Louis. In 1966, after graduating from Georgetown University, he interned for Sen. Paul Douglas, whose seat he now holds. It was Douglas, who lost election to a fourth term in 1966, who once mistakenly called him “Dick,” a nickname Durbin adopted.

Durbin earned a law degree from Georgetown and worked as legal counsel for Simon, who was lieutenant governor in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and then for the Legislature through the 1970s. In 1978, Durbin made an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor, after which he maintained a private legal practice and co-owned a Springfield tavern.

A redrawn district, an economic recession and funding from pro-Israel forces were factors when in 1982 Durbin ousted 11-term Republican incumbent congressman Paul Findley, best known for his criticism of American policy toward Israel and support of Palestinians.

In 2000, Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore considered Durbin for the vice presidency, before Gore ultimately chose Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut. But a few years later, Durbin influenced another presidential candidate when he served as a sounding board for and adviser to Obama.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/richard-durbin">Dick Durbin</a>&nbsp;of Illinois said Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending his more than four-decade career representing Illinois and piling more pressure on the party as it already faced a difficult path to reclaiming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-94b49277db2a5c21f23236794a36afa6">a majority in the Senate</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch. So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term. <a href="https://t.co/eiBTPjToFT">pic.twitter.com/eiBTPjToFT</a>&mdash; Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorDurbin/status/1915062730580427059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The decision by Durbin, who is in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-constitutions-chicago-elections-ea6a729822a40376ee979aa15191c3f2">his fifth Senate term</a>&nbsp;and is the chamber’s No. 2 Democrat, will set off a flurry of activity among a scrum of would-be successors, both Democratic and Republican. But in a state that has grown more solidly Democratic, the GOP has captured a Senate seat just twice for six-year terms since 1984.“The decision of whether to run has not been easy," Durbin said in a video posted to X. “I truly love the job of being a United States senator. But in my heart I know it’s time to pass the torch.”Durbin, who’s 80, was first elected to the U.S. House in 1982 and served seven terms before succeeding his mentor, Paul Simon, in the Senate in 1996. From that post, he helped shape the career of an up-and-comer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a>, who was only four years into his first term in the Senate when he was elected president.Durbin is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture committees. His caucus colleagues have chosen him as Democratic whip, the party’s No. 2 position, biennially since 2005.He has been consistently liberal in Congress. Govtrack’s 2024 report card on Congress lists him as the Senate’s 14th most liberal member — right behind Illinois’ junior senator, Tammy Duckworth.Among Durbin’s more significant legislative achievements, he is largely credited with putting in motion the movement to ban indoor smoking. Having watched his 53-year-old father die of lung cancer when he was 14, Durbin won approval of legislation he sponsored in 1987 prohibiting smoking on short commercial flights and expanded it to nearly all domestic flights two years later.“People started asking, ‘If secondhand smoke wasn’t safe on airplanes — why is it safe in public buildings, schools, hospitals or restaurants?’ The answer is simple: It’s not,” Durbin said on the 25th anniversary of the law.In the early 2000s, he introduced the DREAM Act, which would give immigrants in the U.S. illegally who grew up in the country a pathway toward U.S. citizenship.It’s never become law, but in 2010, Durbin and Sen. Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, wrote Obama asking him to stop deporting so-called Dreamers. Obama responded with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which has covered about 830,000 immigrants, according to Durbin’s office.Durbin was instrumental in reversing a War on Drugs-era law that penalized crack cocaine in a 100-to-1 ratio to powder cocaine, a law that disproportionately hit Black defendants with long prison terms. The new law was made retroactive, reducing the sentences for those serving time for crack.And with Republican and Democratic co-sponsors, Durbin pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f1693a68cb474f65a65bfb0e337009a5">the First Step Act</a>, which President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5976d8ff40f148dda8199efc8e575475">signed into law</a>&nbsp;in 2018. The criminal justice system revamp aimed to make sentencing laws fairer and provide programs to help people who are incarcerated transition in returning to society.Richard Durbin was born in 1944 in East St. Louis. In 1966, after graduating from Georgetown University, he interned for Sen. Paul Douglas, whose seat he now holds. It was Douglas, who lost election to a fourth term in 1966, who once mistakenly called him “Dick,” a nickname Durbin adopted.Durbin earned a law degree from Georgetown and worked as legal counsel for Simon, who was lieutenant governor in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and then for the Legislature through the 1970s. In 1978, Durbin made an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor, after which he maintained a private legal practice and co-owned a Springfield tavern.A redrawn district, an economic recession and funding from pro-Israel forces were factors when in 1982 Durbin ousted 11-term Republican incumbent congressman Paul Findley, best known for his criticism of American policy toward Israel and support of Palestinians.In 2000, Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore considered Durbin for the vice presidency, before Gore ultimately chose Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut. But a few years later, Durbin influenced another presidential candidate when he served as a sounding board for and adviser to Obama.___Jalonick reported from Washington.

U.S. Senate’s No. 2 Democrat won't seek reelection to a 6th term 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>

WASHINGTON — A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Tuesday grilled the Trump administration and the attorney for transgender service members who won a lower court order reversing President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops.

One judge on the panel voiced serious concerns about the lack of evidence the Defense Department cited when instituting the ban, while another expressed skepticism that the lower court’s nationwide order —&nbsp;instead of applying only to the transgender individuals who brought the case —&nbsp;was appropriate.

Administration officials appealed the case to the D.C. Circuit after district Judge Ana Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, granted a broad preliminary injunction blocking Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order.

Eight active-duty service members and transgender individuals who are actively pursuing enlistment in the armed forces brought the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583866/talbott-v-trump/?filed_after=&amp;filed_before=&amp;entry_gte=&amp;entry_lte=&amp;order_by=desc" target="_blank">case</a>&nbsp;against Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, among other officials and three branches of the U.S. military.

Trump’s January order&nbsp;asserted the “adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual’s sex conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life.” Further, the order said that being transgender is “not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”

The Trump administration is expected to “imminently” escalate a separate case on the same issue to the Supreme Court, U.S. Department of Justice attorney Jason Manion said in court Tuesday.

Judges on the appeals bench queried both sides on whether the government has evidence to prove transgender individuals cannot fulfill military duties, and if the order bans all trans troops or only those diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a clinical diagnosis involving distress when a person’s gender identity differs from their sex at birth.

“If the military said people with red hair are just too fragile and vulnerable, we are going to kick them all out of the military, and we are going to not allow any of them ever to join, and we have no evidence of that, but we think they’re a threat to military preparedness, to unit cohesion, and too costly, and so we’re just going to kick them out?” asked Judge Cornelia Pillard, who was appointed during President Barack Obama’s second term.

Manion replied the transgender ban “policy relies on a condition that is marked by severe clinical distress.”

Under military deference — meaning the courts generally defer to the president and military on national security questions — the judges should accept Trump’s and Hegseth’s word on the policy, Manion said.

“If there are mental conditions that will impair someone’s ability to function in the military, or that the military could rationally judge would impair that, then that’s more than enough to satisfy rational basis review,” he said.

Pillard pushed back: Isn’t that the case for all people wanting to join the military, not just transgender individuals? Thousands of transgender troops are already serving, she said.

“If the concerns are with depression or suicidality, there already are standards that would screen someone out for those things, right?” Pillard said.

Judge Neomi Rao challenged the plaintiffs’ likelihood to succeed, highlighting that the Supreme Court generally views broad orders from district judges as “overreach.”

Reyes’&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.276845/gov.uscourts.dcd.276845.89.0.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;covers all transgender troops and those seeking to enlist, not just the eight plaintiffs who brought the case.

“The district court imposed effectively a universal injunction on this policy, going beyond any relief to these particular plaintiffs. So even putting aside the constitutional question, isn’t the government likely to succeed on challenging this remedy?” asked Rao, who was appointed during Trump’s first term.

Shannon Minter, civil rights attorney for the plaintiffs, said “the very nature of the injury” justifies far-reaching court protection.

“This is one of those cases where the injury alleged resides directly in the categorical nature of the policy itself, which declares that transgender people as a group lack the virtues of honesty, discipline, selflessness, integrity, that as such, they have to be purged from the military because they’re transgender, and because the government has this very negative view of what it means to be a transgender person,” Minter said.

In a separate case, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca9.afaa7f8c-a307-4e35-a174-cf2fa59424fe/gov.uscourts.ca9.afaa7f8c-a307-4e35-a174-cf2fa59424fe.31.0.pdf" target="_blank">upheld</a>&nbsp;a lower court’s ruling that allowed transgender troops to continue serving, denying the government’s appeal.

Judge Gregory Katsas, appointed during Trump’s first term, asked Manion, “Can you tell us anything about the government’s plans for seeking Supreme Court (review)?”

“I can’t give you an exact date, but it will be very, very quickly, very soon, and I think that may well be quite relevant to this court’s analysis as well,” Manion said.

Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Foundation, who are representing plaintiffs in the 9th Circuit case, released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying they “stand ready to continue to zealously represent our clients as we have at every juncture.”

“Transgender service members have been openly serving our country with honor and distinction for almost a decade and have met and are meeting every neutral service-based standard. The U.S. Supreme Court should reject the invitation to stay the district court’s injunction so that they can impose their discriminatory ban while the litigation proceeds,” the statement said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745411733333.png" alt="A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard arguments at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse on Tuesday over President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military (U.S. General Services Administration photo)." />
 <figcaption>A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard arguments at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse on Tuesday over President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military (U.S. General Services Administration photo).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Tuesday grilled the Trump administration and the attorney for transgender service members who won a lower court order reversing President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops.One judge on the panel voiced serious concerns about the lack of evidence the Defense Department cited when instituting the ban, while another expressed skepticism that the lower court’s nationwide order —&nbsp;instead of applying only to the transgender individuals who brought the case —&nbsp;was appropriate.Administration officials appealed the case to the D.C. Circuit after district Judge Ana Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, granted a broad preliminary injunction blocking Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order.Eight active-duty service members and transgender individuals who are actively pursuing enlistment in the armed forces brought the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583866/talbott-v-trump/?filed_after=&amp;filed_before=&amp;entry_gte=&amp;entry_lte=&amp;order_by=desc" target="_blank">case</a>&nbsp;against Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, among other officials and three branches of the U.S. military.Trump’s January order&nbsp;asserted the “adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual’s sex conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life.” Further, the order said that being transgender is “not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”The Trump administration is expected to “imminently” escalate a separate case on the same issue to the Supreme Court, U.S. Department of Justice attorney Jason Manion said in court Tuesday.<h2>Evidence</h2>Judges on the appeals bench queried both sides on whether the government has evidence to prove transgender individuals cannot fulfill military duties, and if the order bans all trans troops or only those diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a clinical diagnosis involving distress when a person’s gender identity differs from their sex at birth.“If the military said people with red hair are just too fragile and vulnerable, we are going to kick them all out of the military, and we are going to not allow any of them ever to join, and we have no evidence of that, but we think they’re a threat to military preparedness, to unit cohesion, and too costly, and so we’re just going to kick them out?” asked Judge Cornelia Pillard, who was appointed during President Barack Obama’s second term.Manion replied the transgender ban “policy relies on a condition that is marked by severe clinical distress.”Under military deference — meaning the courts generally defer to the president and military on national security questions — the judges should accept Trump’s and Hegseth’s word on the policy, Manion said.“If there are mental conditions that will impair someone’s ability to function in the military, or that the military could rationally judge would impair that, then that’s more than enough to satisfy rational basis review,” he said.Pillard pushed back: Isn’t that the case for all people wanting to join the military, not just transgender individuals? Thousands of transgender troops are already serving, she said.“If the concerns are with depression or suicidality, there already are standards that would screen someone out for those things, right?” Pillard said.<h2>Trial court ‘overreach’?</h2>Judge Neomi Rao challenged the plaintiffs’ likelihood to succeed, highlighting that the Supreme Court generally views broad orders from district judges as “overreach.”Reyes’&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.276845/gov.uscourts.dcd.276845.89.0.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;covers all transgender troops and those seeking to enlist, not just the eight plaintiffs who brought the case.“The district court imposed effectively a universal injunction on this policy, going beyond any relief to these particular plaintiffs. So even putting aside the constitutional question, isn’t the government likely to succeed on challenging this remedy?” asked Rao, who was appointed during Trump’s first term.Shannon Minter, civil rights attorney for the plaintiffs, said “the very nature of the injury” justifies far-reaching court protection.“This is one of those cases where the injury alleged resides directly in the categorical nature of the policy itself, which declares that transgender people as a group lack the virtues of honesty, discipline, selflessness, integrity, that as such, they have to be purged from the military because they’re transgender, and because the government has this very negative view of what it means to be a transgender person,” Minter said.In a separate case, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca9.afaa7f8c-a307-4e35-a174-cf2fa59424fe/gov.uscourts.ca9.afaa7f8c-a307-4e35-a174-cf2fa59424fe.31.0.pdf" target="_blank">upheld</a>&nbsp;a lower court’s ruling that allowed transgender troops to continue serving, denying the government’s appeal.<h2>U.S. Supreme Court case upcoming</h2>Judge Gregory Katsas, appointed during Trump’s first term, asked Manion, “Can you tell us anything about the government’s plans for seeking Supreme Court (review)?”“I can’t give you an exact date, but it will be very, very quickly, very soon, and I think that may well be quite relevant to this court’s analysis as well,” Manion said.Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Foundation, who are representing plaintiffs in the 9th Circuit case, released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying they “stand ready to continue to zealously represent our clients as we have at every juncture.”“Transgender service members have been openly serving our country with honor and distinction for almost a decade and have met and are meeting every neutral service-based standard. The U.S. Supreme Court should reject the invitation to stay the district court’s injunction so that they can impose their discriminatory ban while the litigation proceeds,” the statement said.

Transgender troops ban, nationwide freeze argued in U.S. appeals court

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after a standoff at a home in Lawrence.

Just before 8:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to a home near 6th Street between Shwartz Road and Lawrence Avenue with information that a woman had a gun and was threatening to harm herself, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police.

  Initially, officers weren’t sure if others were in the home and negotiations began.  
The woman fired several shots during the standoff and communication with her was sporadic. 

 Officers evacuated some neighboring homes. 
She ultimately emerged with continued threats and officers deployed a less lethal round in an attempt to stop the woman.  She was hit, but not seriously injured. 

A short time later, negotiators were able to convince the woman to come out, where she was safely taken into custody and medics with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical took over.  Officers were on scene for some time processing and collecting evidence. After officers secured the area neighbors were allowe to return home.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after a standoff at a home in Lawrence.Just before 8:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to a home near 6th Street between Shwartz Road and Lawrence Avenue with information that a woman had a gun and was threatening to harm herself, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police. Initially, officers weren’t sure if others were in the home and negotiations began. 
The woman fired several shots during the standoff and communication with her was sporadic. Officers evacuated some neighboring homes. 
She ultimately emerged with continued threats and officers deployed a less lethal round in an attempt to stop the woman. She was hit, but not seriously injured. A short time later, negotiators were able to convince the woman to come out, where she was safely taken into custody and medics with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical took over. Officers were on scene for some time processing and collecting evidence. After officers secured the area neighbors were allowe to return home.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Woman in custody after standoff at Kansas home

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Thousands of people filed through the central aisle of St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, the start of three days of public viewing ahead of the pontiff's funeral.

Throngs of ordinary faithful&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/pope-francis-funeral-catholic-church-updates-4-23-2025">made their way slowly</a>&nbsp;to the 16th-century basilica's main altar, where Francis' simple open wooden casket was perched on a slight ramp, as four Swiss Guards stood at attention. Over the coming days, tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through the basilica, which is staying open until midnight to accommodate them.

Many people paying their respects had come to Rome to celebrate Easter, on a spring vacation or other personal business, only to be met with the news of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">Francis' death</a>&nbsp;on Easter Monday. Out of devotion to the Argentine pope and his message of inclusion, they joined the procession of mourners that wended through the Holy Door and down the central aisle of the basilica.

Francis was laid out in red robes, clasping a rosary and wearing a bishop’s miter, the traditional pointed headdress. Mourners waited hours to reach the casket — which sat behind a cordon — some holding their cell phones aloft as they neared him to snap photos in what has become a modern ritual.

“It gave me chills,” said Ivenes Bianco, as she left the basilica. She was in Rome from the southern city of Brindisi for medical care, and had come to pay her respects.

"He was important to me because he encouraged co-existence. He brought many people together.''

Cardinals, meanwhile, met in private to finalize preparations for Saturday's funeral and plan the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/papal-succession-plan-what-happens-798029dfb83f4c03b61de5d9cf6945ff">conclave to elect Francis' successor</a>.

Francis died on Monday at age 88, capping a 12-year pontificate characterized by his concern for the poor and message of inclusion, but also some criticism from conservatives who sometimes felt alienated by his progressive bent.

Wednesday opened with the bells of St. Peter’s tolling as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-photos-public-viewing-f12ab2d196b3b0b9470257efdea86a2c">pallbearers carried Francis' body</a>&nbsp;from the Vatican hotel where he lived into the basilica in a procession through the same piazza where he had delivered what became his final goodbye. Francis made a surprise popemobile tour through the faithful on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-vatican-easter-pneumonia-4b1182146a692479562b635a9723de2f">Easter Sunday</a>, after being assured by his nurse he could despite his continued frail health from a bout of pneumonia.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-kevin-farrell-camerlengo-d539db6e09be52a76669dc7f7ac63fd8">Cardinal Kevin Farrell</a>, who is running the Vatican temporarily until a new pope is elected, led the procession down the central aisle to the altar, with clouds of incense preceding him and the choir chanting the Litany of Saints hymn. In pairs, cardinals in red cassocks approached the casket, bowed and made a sign of the cross, followed by small groups of purple-robbed bishops, black-clad ushers, priests and nuns — and then the doors were thrown open to the public.

Heads of state are expected for Francis' funeral, but the three days of public viewing in the basilica allow ordinary Catholics to grieve the Argentine pope. The viewing ends Friday at 7 p.m., after which Francis' casket will be closed and sealed.

Simplified rituals reflect Francis' wishes

Francis' death and funeral inaugurates a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-funeral-burial-rites-rituals-2eb13a689d09d3403f08027081fe3753">carefully orchestrated period of transition</a>&nbsp;in the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church, with cardinals gathering over the coming days before entering into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">conclave</a>, the secretive ritual voting in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. There are 135 cardinals under age 80 and eligible to vote, and the new pontiff will likely come from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/next-pope-contenders-list-101d68d61be2401a85310e34b45371a9">within their ranks</a>. The conclave is not expected to begin before May 5.

South Korean Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, who heads the Vatican's office for priests, predicted a short conclave, but acknowledged the transition is full of uncertainties.

“We'll see what the Holy Spirit says,” he said Wednesday. Asked if the next pope could come from Asia, where the Catholic Church is growing, he insisted: “For the Lord, there's no East or West.”

Papua New Guinea’s first and only cardinal, John Ribat, prepared Wednesday to leave for Rome to participate in the vote, pleased to represent the poor South Pacific island nation of 12 million people and more than 800 languages in a College of Cardinals that Francis greatly diversified over 12 years.

“The important thing is that … Papua New Guinea is part of the church, the global church. And to be able to have a representative from here to be in the conclave, it is a big thing,” Ribart told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. He said he hoped the next pope would be someone who could lead the church in “a way that is truthful and binds everyone together.”

Francis first lay in state in the Domus Santa Marta hotel in a private viewing for Vatican residents and the papal household. Images released by the Vatican on Tuesday showed the pope in an open casket, wearing the traditional pointed headdress of bishops and red robes, his hands folded over a rosary. The Vatican’s No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was pictured praying by Francis.

Once inside the basilica, Francis' casket wasn't put on an elevated bier — as was the case with past popes — but placed on a ramp, facing the pews. It was in keeping with Francis' wishes for all the rituals surrounding a papal funeral to be simplified to reflect his belief that the pope's role is that of simple pastor, not world leader.

“For me, Pope Francis represents a great pastor, as well as a great friend to all of us,’’ said Micale Sales, visiting St. Peter’s Basilica from Brazil.

Italian police have tightened security for the viewing and the funeral, carrying out foot and horse patrols around the Vatican, where pilgrims continued to arrive for the Holy Year celebrations that Francis opened in December. The faithful who walk through St. Peter’s Holy Door during such years are granted indulgences, a way to help atone for sins.

“I think he spread a positive message around the world, saying there shouldn’t be any violence, there should be peace around the world,’’ said Amit Kukreja, from Australia.

Planning for the conclave is now underway

The funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, and will be attended by leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy.

Cardinals are continuing their meetings this week to plan the conclave and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church.

History’s first Latin American pontiff&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">charmed the world</a>&nbsp;with his humble style and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f684920e3ec74a2fbe58371e09ae9112">concern for the poor</a>&nbsp;but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-critics-fef5eb221e1a44a15fa7bb9aa83b9d73">alienated many conservatives</a>&nbsp;with critiques of capitalism and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-environment-climate-issues-d95735262a28bbce16c75a37459759e3">climate change</a>.

Francis had some reservations about his final&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-easter-sunday-photos-4651ecd21edad5f77af0eb228144b4c5">popemobile tour</a>&nbsp;through St. Peter’s Square on Easter, Vatican News reported on Tuesday. But he overcame them, the news agency said, and was thankful that he had greeted the crowd. He died the next morning.

“The death of a pope is not a small thing, because we’ve lost our leader,’’ Julio Henrique from Brazil said just outside the basilica. “But still, in a few days, we will have a new leader. So … the thing of hope remains. Who will assume Peter’s throne?”

Associated Press reporters Silvia Stellacci and Trisha Thomas contributed to this report.

The body of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;was moved Wednesday morning to St. Peter’s Basilica for three days of public mourning for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-argentina-visit-politics-1a0f4ed32521901cd0c2486a3adf1b29">Argentine pontiff</a>&nbsp;remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor and insistent prayers for peace.

Heads of state are expected for the funeral Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, but the public viewing is largely for ordinary Catholics to grieve the 88-year-old pope,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-what-to-know-7c2aa927cf142926f05654984aaa0d90">who died Monday</a>&nbsp;after suffering a stroke.

The basilica will be kept open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday to allow the faithful to mourn. The public mourning period will end on Friday at 7 p.m. local time.

Cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-death-funeral-conclave-e9688b14b9d9e19bbdd6a868d57a4699">met</a>&nbsp;at the Vatican on Tuesday to schedule Francis’ funeral and burial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-funeral-burial-rites-rituals-2eb13a689d09d3403f08027081fe3753">plan the conclave</a>&nbsp;to elect his successor and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church.

Throngs of faithful start paying final respects to pope

They&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/pope-francis-funeral-catholic-church-updates-4-23-2025">made their way slowly</a>&nbsp;to the main altar of the 16th-century St. Peter’s Basilica, where Francis’ simple wooden casket was perched on a slight ramp, as four Swiss Guards stood at attention.

Over the coming days, tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through the basilica.

The Vatican opens St. Peter’s Basilica to general public

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745403589674.jpeg" alt="The body of Pope Francis inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, where he will lie in state for three days -image from AP video" />
 <figcaption>The body of Pope Francis inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, where he will lie in state for three days -image from AP video</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/l3Ra8Zrbc3M?si=YgrTDFBWvtmUp2kS" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>VATICAN CITY (AP) — Thousands of people filed through the central aisle of St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, the start of three days of public viewing ahead of the pontiff's funeral.Throngs of ordinary faithful&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/pope-francis-funeral-catholic-church-updates-4-23-2025">made their way slowly</a>&nbsp;to the 16th-century basilica's main altar, where Francis' simple open wooden casket was perched on a slight ramp, as four Swiss Guards stood at attention. Over the coming days, tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through the basilica, which is staying open until midnight to accommodate them.Many people paying their respects had come to Rome to celebrate Easter, on a spring vacation or other personal business, only to be met with the news of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">Francis' death</a>&nbsp;on Easter Monday. Out of devotion to the Argentine pope and his message of inclusion, they joined the procession of mourners that wended through the Holy Door and down the central aisle of the basilica.Francis was laid out in red robes, clasping a rosary and wearing a bishop’s miter, the traditional pointed headdress. Mourners waited hours to reach the casket — which sat behind a cordon — some holding their cell phones aloft as they neared him to snap photos in what has become a modern ritual.“It gave me chills,” said Ivenes Bianco, as she left the basilica. She was in Rome from the southern city of Brindisi for medical care, and had come to pay her respects."He was important to me because he encouraged co-existence. He brought many people together.''Cardinals, meanwhile, met in private to finalize preparations for Saturday's funeral and plan the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/papal-succession-plan-what-happens-798029dfb83f4c03b61de5d9cf6945ff">conclave to elect Francis' successor</a>.Francis died on Monday at age 88, capping a 12-year pontificate characterized by his concern for the poor and message of inclusion, but also some criticism from conservatives who sometimes felt alienated by his progressive bent.Wednesday opened with the bells of St. Peter’s tolling as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-photos-public-viewing-f12ab2d196b3b0b9470257efdea86a2c">pallbearers carried Francis' body</a>&nbsp;from the Vatican hotel where he lived into the basilica in a procession through the same piazza where he had delivered what became his final goodbye. Francis made a surprise popemobile tour through the faithful on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-vatican-easter-pneumonia-4b1182146a692479562b635a9723de2f">Easter Sunday</a>, after being assured by his nurse he could despite his continued frail health from a bout of pneumonia.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-kevin-farrell-camerlengo-d539db6e09be52a76669dc7f7ac63fd8">Cardinal Kevin Farrell</a>, who is running the Vatican temporarily until a new pope is elected, led the procession down the central aisle to the altar, with clouds of incense preceding him and the choir chanting the Litany of Saints hymn. In pairs, cardinals in red cassocks approached the casket, bowed and made a sign of the cross, followed by small groups of purple-robbed bishops, black-clad ushers, priests and nuns — and then the doors were thrown open to the public.Heads of state are expected for Francis' funeral, but the three days of public viewing in the basilica allow ordinary Catholics to grieve the Argentine pope. The viewing ends Friday at 7 p.m., after which Francis' casket will be closed and sealed.<h2>Simplified rituals reflect Francis' wishes</h2>Francis' death and funeral inaugurates a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-funeral-burial-rites-rituals-2eb13a689d09d3403f08027081fe3753">carefully orchestrated period of transition</a>&nbsp;in the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church, with cardinals gathering over the coming days before entering into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">conclave</a>, the secretive ritual voting in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. There are 135 cardinals under age 80 and eligible to vote, and the new pontiff will likely come from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/next-pope-contenders-list-101d68d61be2401a85310e34b45371a9">within their ranks</a>. The conclave is not expected to begin before May 5.South Korean Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, who heads the Vatican's office for priests, predicted a short conclave, but acknowledged the transition is full of uncertainties.“We'll see what the Holy Spirit says,” he said Wednesday. Asked if the next pope could come from Asia, where the Catholic Church is growing, he insisted: “For the Lord, there's no East or West.”Papua New Guinea’s first and only cardinal, John Ribat, prepared Wednesday to leave for Rome to participate in the vote, pleased to represent the poor South Pacific island nation of 12 million people and more than 800 languages in a College of Cardinals that Francis greatly diversified over 12 years.“The important thing is that … Papua New Guinea is part of the church, the global church. And to be able to have a representative from here to be in the conclave, it is a big thing,” Ribart told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. He said he hoped the next pope would be someone who could lead the church in “a way that is truthful and binds everyone together.”Francis first lay in state in the Domus Santa Marta hotel in a private viewing for Vatican residents and the papal household. Images released by the Vatican on Tuesday showed the pope in an open casket, wearing the traditional pointed headdress of bishops and red robes, his hands folded over a rosary. The Vatican’s No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was pictured praying by Francis.Once inside the basilica, Francis' casket wasn't put on an elevated bier — as was the case with past popes — but placed on a ramp, facing the pews. It was in keeping with Francis' wishes for all the rituals surrounding a papal funeral to be simplified to reflect his belief that the pope's role is that of simple pastor, not world leader.“For me, Pope Francis represents a great pastor, as well as a great friend to all of us,’’ said Micale Sales, visiting St. Peter’s Basilica from Brazil.Italian police have tightened security for the viewing and the funeral, carrying out foot and horse patrols around the Vatican, where pilgrims continued to arrive for the Holy Year celebrations that Francis opened in December. The faithful who walk through St. Peter’s Holy Door during such years are granted indulgences, a way to help atone for sins.“I think he spread a positive message around the world, saying there shouldn’t be any violence, there should be peace around the world,’’ said Amit Kukreja, from Australia.<h2>Planning for the conclave is now underway</h2>The funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, and will be attended by leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy.Cardinals are continuing their meetings this week to plan the conclave and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church.History’s first Latin American pontiff&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">charmed the world</a>&nbsp;with his humble style and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f684920e3ec74a2fbe58371e09ae9112">concern for the poor</a>&nbsp;but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-critics-fef5eb221e1a44a15fa7bb9aa83b9d73">alienated many conservatives</a>&nbsp;with critiques of capitalism and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-environment-climate-issues-d95735262a28bbce16c75a37459759e3">climate change</a>.Francis had some reservations about his final&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-easter-sunday-photos-4651ecd21edad5f77af0eb228144b4c5">popemobile tour</a>&nbsp;through St. Peter’s Square on Easter, Vatican News reported on Tuesday. But he overcame them, the news agency said, and was thankful that he had greeted the crowd. He died the next morning.“The death of a pope is not a small thing, because we’ve lost our leader,’’ Julio Henrique from Brazil said just outside the basilica. “But still, in a few days, we will have a new leader. So … the thing of hope remains. Who will assume Peter’s throne?”___Associated Press reporters Silvia Stellacci and Trisha Thomas contributed to this report.-----------------The body of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;was moved Wednesday morning to St. Peter’s Basilica for three days of public mourning for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-argentina-visit-politics-1a0f4ed32521901cd0c2486a3adf1b29">Argentine pontiff</a>&nbsp;remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor and insistent prayers for peace.Heads of state are expected for the funeral Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, but the public viewing is largely for ordinary Catholics to grieve the 88-year-old pope,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-what-to-know-7c2aa927cf142926f05654984aaa0d90">who died Monday</a>&nbsp;after suffering a stroke.The basilica will be kept open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday to allow the faithful to mourn. The public mourning period will end on Friday at 7 p.m. local time.Cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-death-funeral-conclave-e9688b14b9d9e19bbdd6a868d57a4699">met</a>&nbsp;at the Vatican on Tuesday to schedule Francis’ funeral and burial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-funeral-burial-rites-rituals-2eb13a689d09d3403f08027081fe3753">plan the conclave</a>&nbsp;to elect his successor and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church.Here's the latest:<h2>Throngs of faithful start paying final respects to pope</h2>They&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/pope-francis-funeral-catholic-church-updates-4-23-2025">made their way slowly</a>&nbsp;to the main altar of the 16th-century St. Peter’s Basilica, where Francis’ simple wooden casket was perched on a slight ramp, as four Swiss Guards stood at attention.Over the coming days, tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through the basilica.<h2>The Vatican opens St. Peter’s Basilica to general public</h2>This will allow the faithful to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, as thousands filled the central aisle.<h2>Congregants in Johannesburg attend special memorial mass for pope</h2>Despite the rain on Wednesday, dozens filled the Cathedral of Christ the King for the Mass led by Cardinal Stephen Brislin of South Africa, who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2023.Pews were lit up with large white candles, while a framed photograph of Francis was put on display as Brislin reflected on the late pope’s message of tolerance for all.The service was also attended by leaders of South Africa’s African National Congress political party, including its secretary general, Fikile Mbalula.Maxima Louw, a 50-year-old man who has been attending services at the cathedral for more than a decade, said Pope Francis was like a spiritual father to him.<h2>Papua New Guinea’s 1st and only cardinal will attend funeral</h2>John Ribat is preparing to leave the poor South Pacific island on Wednesday.“The important thing is that … Papua New Guinea is part of the church, the global church. And to be able to have a representative from here to be in the conclave, it is a big thing,” the 68-year-old Archbishop of Port Moresby told Australian Broadcasting Corp.Francis appointed Ribat a cardinal in 2016.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-papua-new-guinea-asia-33fb0e7ca68a8c9595812271586388d1">The pope last year visited the diverse nation</a>&nbsp;with an estimated population of 12 million people and more than 800 languages.<h2>Taiwan will send former top official to funeral</h2>Chen Chien-jen, a devout Catholic, will represent the island democracy, the government said Wednesday.Relations with the Vatican are especially important to Taiwan because the Holy See is the only European state to recognize the island’s sovereignty in defiance of China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory to be annexed by force if necessary.Chen is a former vice president and premier and recipient of several of the Vatican’s highest honors. Though less than 5% of Taiwan’s population is Catholic, the church has roots on the island dating back to 17th-century Spanish explorers.<h2>Israeli Foreign Ministry deletes pope condolences post</h2>The ministry refused to comment on its decision to post and then quickly delete the post on X, which said: “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing."According to Israeli media, Israeli ambassadors, especially those serving in predominantly Catholic countries, were furious over the deleted post.Pope Francis was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-vatican-gaza-israel-genocide-book-62907898cead13dbcfd603592263904c">critical of Israel’s war in Gaza</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-israel-hamas-war-gaza-31f1755f8426ec81cb07b29bff3db70e">exceptionally close to the Catholic church there</a>, but had also called on Hamas to release the hostages and condemned the rise in antisemitism.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not made any public comment on the pope’s passing.<h2>Mourners watch Francis’ casket being moved</h2>The casket passed them by along the same path the pope had travelled just days before, on Easter Sunday, in what became his final popemobile tour through the faithful.It was a surprise salute, which Francis decided at the last minute after being assured he could do it despite his continued frail health from pneumonia.<h2>The bells of St. Peter’s toll as the body of the pope is transferred</h2>The procession included solemn cardinals, prelates and Swiss Guards escorting the pontiff to where he will lie in state.A choir chanted as the cardinals processed slowly through the archway gates leading out into the piazza.<h2>JD Vance says he won't attend the pope's funeral</h2>The U.S. vice president is currently on a four-day visit to India.He said Wednesday that while he was able to see Pope Francis on Easter Sunday during his Vatican visit over the weekend, he didn’t “realize how sick he was” and that he would always remember the pontiff as a “great pastor.”<h2>Ceremony to transfer Pope Francis’ body begins</h2>His body will be transferred from his home in the Vatican hotel to St. Peter’s Basilica for three days of public viewing.<h2>Filipino community in Taiwan gathers to mourn</h2>Filipinos in Taiwan began gradually gathering at St. Christopher’s Church, a center for a community whose members have migrated to the island to work mainly in factories and as caregivers.“This is a church for migrants, for people who have to live away from their loved ones, and Pope Francis had a deep concern for those people,” said Luz Fernandez, a housekeeper whose employer gave her time off to light a candle at the church. “He will be missed."<h2>Philippines' Marcos remembers Francis as ‘best pope in my lifetime’</h2>Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the leader of the largest Roman Catholic nation in Asia, will attend the funeral in Rome of Pope Francis, whom he described as “the best pope in my lifetime.”Marcos, 67, will be joined by his wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos, in the trip to Rome, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Wednesday.The Philippine leader extolled Francis as “a man of profound faith and humility.”Churches across the Philippines rang their bells Monday to mourn the death of Francis, who visited the country in 2015 to console survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.<h2>Trump will head to Rome for funeral</h2>Trump is planning to leave Washington on Friday morning to fly to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral services.He’ll return Saturday evening, once services are over.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the president’s travel plans during her briefing with reporters on Tuesday. She did not provide details on whether Trump will meet with foreign leaders during the trip, or who might travel with him as part of a U.S. delegation.