Pope Francis gave the traditional Easter blessing earlier today, appearing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in front of delighted crowds in what marks his highest-profile appearance since being discharged from the hospital after falling ill with double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff has not led the main Holy Week and Easter services but has made brief appearances, including spending 30 minutes at a prison in Rome on Thursday and a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday evening. Here’s what else you need to know to Start Your Week Smart. Sunday spotlight Tuesday marks 55 years since millions of Americans from coast to coast came together to celebrate the first Earth Day. Over the subsequent decades, Earth Day has spread around the globe as more and more countries call for environmental regulations to protect the planet’s air, water, forests and wildlife from industrial pollution and greenhouse gases that are harming our climate. But as other industrialized nations make strides to reduce emissions, the US appears to be shifting into reverse. On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump signed actions to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement, an international treaty in which nearly 200 countries agreed to work together to limit global warming. Meanwhile, Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency have been slashing federal workers and eviscerating weather and climate research programs — all at a time when the stakes couldn’t be higher for the planet and humanity’s ability to adapt to the changing climate and the increasing cost of climate-related disasters. 1️⃣ Rising temperatures: The Earth just recorded its 10 hottest years over the last decade. And last year was confirmed to be the hottest since records began 175 years ago, beating the previous record set in 2023. While scientists say that doesn’t mean that we’ve permanently crossed global limits set under the Paris Agreement, we are getting close. 2️⃣ Not a pretty picture: A striking new visualization made by a climate scientist shows the increase in daily global temperatures between 1940 and the end of 2024 compared to the period before humans began burning huge amounts of planet-heating fossil fuels. As the data spirals outwards, it becomes redder and redder as global temperatures ramp up. 3️⃣ Stronger hurricanes: Record-breaking ocean temperatures fueled by planet-warming pollution have turbocharged dozens of Atlantic hurricanes in recent years, making them more potent and dangerous. And this year’s upcoming hurricane season, which spans from June through November, is shaping up to be another busy one. 4️⃣ Predictions of extreme weather events may get worse: Coordinated twice-daily weather balloon launches make up the backbone of weather forecasts across the globe. But due to staffing shortages brought on by the Trump administration, the National Weather Service has cut weather balloon launches at eight sites across the US. Here’s what that could mean for critical weather reports, particularly during severe weather events, like tornadoes, ice storms and hurricanes. 5️⃣ Hope springs eternal: Despite the increasing din of climate-related alarm bells, there are reasons to be hopeful. CNN’s chief Climate correspondent Bill Weir has spent years looking at our warming planet and searching for the most promising solutions and most resilient communities. This is what he found. Top headlines • Supreme Court temporarily pauses deportations under Alien Enemies Act• Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of violating brief Easter truce• Dozens of ‘high-water incidents’ reported as ‘historical weather event’ unfolds in Oklahoma• ‘50501’ protesters denounce Trump administration in nationwide rallies while supporting impacted communities• Half of US states have reported measles cases this year The week ahead MondayThe White House will host its annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn, complete with about 30,000 real eggs — despite a national egg shortage due to a bird flu outbreak. The American Egg Board, which donated the 2,500 cartons, said in a statement that the eggs “will be in sizes small and medium, which are not meant for the retail and grocery channels.” Attendees of the event may also notice something different from egg rolls past: prominent corporate sponsorships from companies like YouTube, Meta and Amazon that underscore the close relationships the leaders of those companies have sought to cultivate with the Trump administration. WednesdayApril 23 is the 20th anniversary of the uploading of the first video clip to YouTube. The 19-second video, titled “Me at the zoo,” features Jawed Karim — one of YouTube’s co-founders. It’s also the 7th birthday of Prince Louis of Wales, who is fourth in line to the British throne. ThursdayThe US and Ukraine are expected to sign a proposed minerals deal between the two countries. President Donald Trump confirmed the date in response to a reporter’s question during an Oval Office meeting last week. Ukraine’s economy minister also posted on X that the country had signed a memorandum with the US. An earlier iteration of the deal went unsigned following a public argument between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February. FridayDisgraced former Rep. George Santos will be sentenced after pleading guilty in August to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud charges stemming from fraudulent activity during his 2022 midterm campaign. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of more than seven years in prison. Santos also owes more than $373,000 in restitution as part of his plea deal. SaturdayScores of journalists, celebrities and politicians are expected to attend the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner, with two notable exceptions: comedian Amber Ruffin, who had been tapped to headline this year’s annual fundraising dinner, and President Trump, who skipped the dinner during his first four years in office. The White House Correspondents’ Association announced its decision to change format last month, opting for no comedian performance, and said it would instead celebrate the First Amendment and the free press. Listen in One Thing: 🎧 College funding falloutIn this episode of the “One Thing” podcast, CNN’s David Rind speaks to two incoming freshmen about how they feel after choosing Harvard and Columbia amid President Donald Trump’s funding fights. Listen here. Photos of the week Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongly deported to El Salvador, is still being held in a maximum-security mega-prison in the Central American nation.Late last month, the Salvadoran national and his family sued various Trump administration officials to secure his return to the United States. The administration conceded in court filings that it had mistakenly deported the father of three as part of its recent deportation flights, which are now at the center of a fraught legal battle. US District Judge Paula Xinis, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, said Abrego Garcia’s removal to El Salvador was “an illegal act” and ordered the government to facilitate his return to the US by 11:59 p.m. on April 7. The Supreme Court upheld the order on April 10.But White House officials have argued that it’s up to El Salvador whether to do so. And speaking from the Oval Office this week, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele told reporters that while he has the power to release Abrego Garcia, his administration isn’t “very fond of releasing terrorists” being detained in his country.US officials have alleged that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, which the Trump administration has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. His attorneys, however, dispute the claim and Xinis voiced skepticism toward it.Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye. Check out more images from the week that was, curated by CNN Photos. What’s happening in entertainment In theaters“The Accountant 2” stars Ben Affleck in the follow-up to the original 2016 action film. This sequel seems to lean a bit into the action/comedy genre as Affleck’s Christian Wolff — a forensic accountant with autism who worked for the mob — teams up with his brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal) to avenge the murder of his old friend from the Treasury Department, played by J.K. Simmons. “The Accountant 2” opens Friday. Nearly 50 years after Cheech and Chong had their breakout hit “Up in Smoke,” a new documentary details the duo’s careers and lasting impact on American pop culture. “Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie” rolls into theaters on Friday. (Cue War’s “Low Rider.”) What’s happening in sports At a glance …In basketball, the NBA Playoffs officially tipped off with a sizzling four-game slate on Saturday. In the night’s finale, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to a heavy defeat in front of their home fans, losing 117-95 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their Western Conference best-of-seven series. Both teams will return to the court for Game 2 on Tuesday. Elsewhere, the New York Knicks stunned the Detroit Pistons 123-112, the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110 in overtime and the Indiana Pacers topped the Milwaukee Bucks 117-98. The 129th running of the Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, the 250th anniversary of Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts. Football season may be months away but the rumor mill never stops. The chatter about where former Green Bay Packers and (briefly) New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers may land picked up last week after Rodgers revealed that retirement from the NFL remains a possibility as he weighs his next step. The 41-year-old Super Bowl XLV winner has been heavily linked with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, but no formal decision has yet been made. In related news, the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Los Angeles Rams, however, will honor Southern California firefighters by conducting their 2025 NFL draft operations from the Los Angeles Fire Department Air Operations headquarters to recognize first responders following the wildfires that swept across the Los Angeles area earlier this year. And looking ahead to 2028, the Los Angeles Olympic Games will feature a mixed-gender team golf event. The new edition will consist of a 36-hole competition across two 18-hole rounds, with each team consisting of one male and one female player who have already qualified for the singles events. Only one pair per nation will be permitted to take part. For more of your favorite sports, head on over to CNN Sports as well as Bleacher Report, which — like CNN — is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Quiz time! Looking for a challenge to start your week? Take CNN’s weekly news quiz to see how much you remember from the week that was! So far, 58% of readers who took the quiz got eight or more questions right and 12% got a perfect score. How will you fare? Play me off … ‘Mr. Blue Sky’We wish you nothing but blue skies as we celebrate Earth Day this week.(Click here to view)
Start your week smart: Earth Day, Pope Francis, Alien Enemies Act, Ukraine-Russia truce, ‘50501’ protests
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Pope Francis Returns for Easter Blessing Amid Climate Concerns and Earth Day Preparations"
CNN
6.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Pope Francis made a notable return to public life by delivering the traditional Easter blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, captivating a large crowd. This appearance was his most significant since being discharged from the hospital after a battle with double pneumonia. Although the 88-year-old pontiff has not been able to lead the full Holy Week and Easter services, he has participated in several brief public appearances, including a visit to a prison in Rome and St. Peter's Basilica. His return is seen as a symbol of resilience, especially as he continues to navigate his health challenges while fulfilling his papal duties during this significant religious period.
In addition to the Pope's Easter message, the article highlights the upcoming 55th anniversary of Earth Day, a global event that emphasizes the need for environmental protection and sustainable practices. While many countries have made progress in reducing emissions, the U.S. has faced setbacks, particularly under the Trump administration's policies, including withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. The article outlines alarming climate statistics, such as the Earth experiencing its hottest years on record and the increasing intensity of hurricanes due to rising ocean temperatures. Despite these challenges, there are emerging solutions and resilient communities working towards climate adaptation, as noted by CNN's chief Climate correspondent. The piece also touches on various political events, including Supreme Court decisions and international agreements, emphasizing the critical intersection of environmental and political issues as the world prepares for Earth Day celebrations.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a variety of significant global events and issues that are currently making headlines, focusing particularly on environmental concerns and notable figures such as Pope Francis. It seeks to inform readers about recent occurrences while subtly shaping public perception regarding climate change, political actions, and social movements.
Pope Francis and Health Concerns
The article begins with an update on Pope Francis, highlighting his recent appearance after recovering from health issues. This serves to reinforce his role as a moral leader, especially during significant religious occasions like Easter. The mention of his health status may evoke empathy and concern among the faithful, potentially reinforcing their support for him and the issues he advocates, such as social justice and environmental stewardship.
Earth Day and Environmental Issues
As Earth Day approaches, the article reflects on its history and significance, emphasizing the need for environmental protection. The contrast between the U.S. and other industrialized nations in terms of climate policy is particularly pronounced, suggesting a narrative that critiques current U.S. administration actions. This framing aims to raise awareness about the urgency of addressing climate change, potentially mobilizing public sentiment toward environmental activism.
Climate Data and Warnings
The article presents alarming data regarding rising global temperatures, which serves to emphasize the seriousness of climate change. By stating that recent years have recorded the hottest temperatures, it aims to instill a sense of urgency in readers. This focus on data could be seen as a call to action, pushing society to demand more effective measures from policymakers.
Political Context and Public Sentiment
By mentioning the actions of former President Trump and current government policies regarding climate research, the article subtly critiques political leadership. This can foster a sense of frustration or disappointment among readers who prioritize environmental issues, potentially galvanizing them to support alternative political movements or candidates who advocate for stronger climate action.
Media Influence and Public Perception
The narrative constructed through this article aims to create a sense of urgency around environmental issues while linking them to broader social and political contexts. This approach could manipulate public perception by framing the current administration's actions as detrimental to both the planet and future generations, thus inciting a call for change.
Considering the composition of the article, it appears to be a blend of factual reporting and editorializing, which is common in contemporary journalism that aims to engage readers emotionally and intellectually.
In terms of reliability, the article does reference verifiable facts, such as the hottest years on record, but it also infers a particular worldview that aligns with environmental advocacy. This combination of facts and advocacy may lead to questions about bias, particularly among readers who may have differing political views.
Potential Impact on Society and Economics
The coverage of environmental degradation and political inaction could drive public discourse toward greater environmental accountability, influencing consumer behavior and investment in sustainable practices. This may lead to shifts in the market, particularly within sectors related to renewable energy and sustainability.
The article seems to resonate more with environmentally conscious communities and progressive groups who are likely to support climate action and social justice initiatives.
The implications of the article could extend to economic markets, particularly those linked to environmental policies and regulations. Investments in green technologies may increase, while fossil fuel industries could face backlash as public sentiment shifts.
Global Power Dynamics
The discussion on climate change and environmental policies has significant implications for global power dynamics, especially as countries navigate the challenges of climate agreements and sustainability. This article fits into the broader context of current global discussions on climate action and international cooperation.
There is no direct indication that artificial intelligence was employed in the writing of this article, though it is possible that AI models may assist in data analysis or trend identification. The tone and style reflect traditional journalistic practices rather than AI-generated content.
In conclusion, while the article contains factual information, it also carries an underlying agenda that promotes a specific viewpoint on climate change and political accountability. This may lead to varied interpretations among different audience segments, potentially affecting public discourse and policy-making.