Morning everyone. Australia’s 5 million Catholics are in mourning after the death of Pope Francis, who Anthony Albanese called their “devoted champion and loving father”. We have full reports and appreciations, plus analysis of who might succeed him. We examine the spate of drownings over the Easter weekend – eight in all – as well as the latest Signal leak at the Pentagon and stock markets under pressure again.
‘Devoted champion’ |Anthony Albanese has made anemotional tributeto Pope Francis, calling him a “devoted champion and a loving father” of Australian Catholics as he paid his respects at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne. After the death of Francis last night from stroke and heart failureat the age of 88, cardinals from around the world,including Ukrainian-born Melbourne bishop Mykola Bychok, will now gather in Rome to decide his successor. Keep up with thelatest here.
‘Absolutely horrific’ |After the weekend drowning toll in New South Wales and Victoria climbed to eight, a surf live saving chiefblamed it on a combinationof warm weather, thousands visiting the beach and enormous swells.
Mortgage warning |The Coalition’s mortgage deduction scheme could make housing even more unaffordable,according to an expertwho has studied a similar policy in the Netherlands.
‘Smear campaign’ |Allegra Spender has denounced“anonymous and misleading”pamphlets distributed in her electorate of Wentworth, with the independent MP calling it the “sort of smear campaign” that “turns people off politics”.
Abattoir oversight |Lawyers and animal welfare advocates have urged the government to protect veterinarian whistleblowerswho revealedshocking animal welfare breaches and oversight failures at Australia’s export abattoirs.
Pentagon ‘meltdown’ |A former top Pentagon spokespersonhas slammed Pete Hegseth’s leadershipof the defence department as pressure mounts on the US’s top military official after reports of asecond Signal chatroomused to discuss sensitive military operations. Staying inside Washington, we have a profile of Peter Navarro,the tariff-loving economistwho has outsmarted Elon Musk to keep the ear of Donald Trump.
Market loser |US stock markets have fallen again overnight as Trump continued attacks against the Federal Reserve chair, Jerome Powell, who the US president called“a major loser”for not lowering interest rates.
Berlin attacks |Berlin has reported a marked increasein attacks on asylum seekersand refugee shelters, amid a sharp rise in far-right crime and a hardening of German migration policy.
Dementia clue |People given intensive help to reduce their high blood pressure such as medication and coaching have a lower risk of dementia,researchers have found.
Chimp party |Wild chimpanzees in west Africa have been observed sharing fruit containing alcohol – not in quantities to get roaring drunk but perhapsenough to feel more relaxed and socialable.
Live like a Dane: lessons from one of the happiest places on Earth
Denmark is reckoned to be one of the happiest places on Earth. So what’s the secret? Journalist Helen Russelltalks to Reged Ahmadabout her decade living like a Dane.
Catholics around the world have been rememberingthe “humble” manwho was the 266th pope before he passed away yesterday, and we have some of his most heartwarming moments on videohere. In a piece looking at the pope’s legacy,Julian Coman examinesthe life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio – the “outsider from Buenos Aires who used his power and charisma effectively, in order to shape a more outwards-facing, generous-spirited and socially engaged church”. Will the next pope be a “continuity candidate”, George Pell’s protege from Hungary, or even the first ever Asian pontiff?Our explainer goes throughthe possibilities, and we examine thefamed conclave systemby which the pope will be chosen. We also haveobituary of Pope Francis, the first-ever Jesuit pontiff.
The Australian-founded fashion brand, White Fox, has become ubiquitous among teenage girls and twentysomethings.Lucianne Tonti admireshow viral marketing and the smart use of celebrity influencers created a global powerhouse.
Athletics |This year’s Stawell Gift attracted huge crowds for the appearance of sprint sensation Gout Gout – andthey weren’t disappointed, writes Jack Snape.
AFL |Geelong held their nerveto win a thrilleragainst Hawthorn at the MCG helped by new boy Bailey Smith buying into the Cats-Hawks rivalry.
Football |Ange Postecoglou’s Spurshost Nottingham Forestthis morning in the Premier League.
Sign up toMorning Mail
Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters
after newsletter promotion
Newspapers and websites all carry news and tributes to Pope Francis, with theSydney Morning Heraldobituary calling him a progressive who shook up the church andprovoked the ire of conservatives. TheCourier Maillooks athow Australians will mournhis passing. Traditional owners of land 275km south-east of Tennant Creek are celebratingwinning a 45-year battlefor native title, theNT Newsreports. A former Victorian netball star is suing the game’s governing body after she fractured her knee following a“forceful, late and deliberate”contact, theHerald Sunreports.
Federal election |Pre-poll voting opens today while the AEC holds an event to reveal remote voter services operation in Pirlangimpi in the Northern Territory.
Brisbane |Bail application for a woman charged with murdering her partner who was dying of motor neurone disease.
Politics |Third leaders’ debate on Nine at 7.30pm tonight.
Enjoying the Morning Mail? Then you’ll loveour Afternoon Update newsletter. Sign up hereto finish your day with a three-minute snapshot of the day’s main news, and complete your daily news roundup.
And follow the latest in US politics by signing up forThis Week in Trumpland.
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
Quick crossword
Cryptic crossword
If you have astory tiportechnical issueviewing this newsletter, please reply to this email.
If you area Guardian supporter and need assistancewith regards to contributions and/or digital subscriptions, please email customer.help@guardian.co.uk