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Reporter’s Notebook: From John Paul II to Francis, covering two historic papacies
Two popes . . . Francis and John Paul II . . . their deaths separated by almost exactly twenty years. Both world-renowned figures and similar in personal approach . . . but the two were different, as well. I had the honor of covering both.
The news of the death of Pope Francis came just as I was returning to London from a long Easter weekend in the States. While Francis had been seriously ill, he also seemed to be on the mend, so his quick and quiet death at his modest apartment in the Santa Marta guesthouse caught many by surprise. A planned «catnap» by me at home turned into a quick dash to our UK studio.
In a series of «live shots,» I talked about a man who seemed so familiar to all. They called him the «People’s Pope.» And no wonder. The first from the Americas. For 12 years a champion of the downtrodden, victims of war, hunger and poverty. Taking on big global issues like inequality and global warming. Tangling, with degrees of success, with issues inside the Roman Catholic Church like sex abuse and the roles of women and gays. All with a personal, humble and humorous touch.
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A follower holds a portrait of the late Pope Francis at the Basílica de San José de Flores, where he worshipped as a youth, following the Vatican’s announcement of his death in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, April 21, 2025. (Gustavo Garello/AP)
And at the same time, in my mind, there were memories of the passing of Pope John Paul II. I was there in Vatican City on a chilly night in April 2005, reporting with the Fox News team. The pope was literally on his deathbed in his Apostolic Palace apartment overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands had gathered in a mass vigil. And then the lights went out.
Fox News Correspondent Greg Palkot reporting on the passing of Pope John Paul II at Vatican City, April 2005 (Fox News)
We detailed, too, that night, the life of this man who had captured the spirit of the world. A strong voice for freedom and democracy. Who had played a big role in bringing down communism in his homeland of Poland and elsewhere. John Paul II tried to bring the world together as he kept church rulings in line. I had covered him for 26 years, starting as a «cub» producer at his conclave in 1978.
Greg Palkot, left, producing for WABC News during the conclave for John Paul II at Vatican City, October 1978. (Courtesy Greg Palkot)
After both deaths, the same words were used by Vatican officials to describe the «trip» the Popes took on those fateful days: «He has returned to the house of his father.»
The passing of a pope is just the beginning of a lengthy process when the Vatican turns over the keys to the church of 1.3 billion global followers to a new leader. A massive ceremony-laden funeral is then followed by the drama of the selection of a new pope, the conclave with its black smoke for no decision . . . white smoke for a new Pope. And then their inauguration.
The cardinals who gathered in the wake of the passing of John Paul II chose Pope Benedict XVI a more conservative and more elderly leader than they’d picked before. He would only serve for eight years. His resignation (he died in 2022) paved the way for another conclave, which chose the Argentinian Pope Francis.
POPE FRANCIS REVEALED BURIAL WISHES JUST DAYS AFTER BECOMING POPE IN 2013
Fox News’ Greg Palkot reported on both Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II. (Pope Francis AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino | John Paul II: Getty Images)
Both John Paul II and Francis were thought to be long-shot outsiders. Speculation is now building about the choice to be made in the upcoming papal «election.» Will it return the papacy to Italian dominance or spread its reach to a new country and continent? Will the new pope revive a more conservative approach to the church or stay in the modern spirit of Francis?
The coming days will tell.
Many of us carry our own reminders of those who have passed. In my case, literally. In 2005, a Vatican insider gave me rosary beads blessed by John Paul II. I’ve kept them with me on all my sometimes-rough travels since. From Afghanistan and Iraq . . . to the Mideast and Ukraine.
Rosary beads blessed by Pope John Paul II, carried by Greg Palkot on his travels. (Greg Palkot)
I also keep with me the memory of my late mother. She was a big fan of the Polish pontiff. She died of Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, which ravages the body. Similar to some of the effects of Parkinson’s disease that contributed to John Paul II’s death.
Born of humble stock, I know Mom would also have liked the simple faith of Pope Francis. And how he passed. There are some who say he held off his «departure» until the Monday after the events of Easter, so as not to spoil that most holy day in the Roman Catholic calendar.
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Just like some in my family think, my mother held off her passing until the day after my April birthday. Considerate of others to the end.
Rest in Peace Francis. Although I’m sure you’ll have a lot of catching up to do with all your friends «upstairs»!
INTERNACIONAL
Crisis en Cuba: la cosecha de azúcar no alcanzó las 150.000 toneladas y se convirtió en la peor en más de un siglo
La zafra (cosecha) de 2024/2025 en Cuba no superó las 150.000 toneladas de azúcar, lo que supone el peor resultado en más de un siglo y menos de la mitad de lo obtenido el año pasado, según cálculos de EFE basados en fuentes oficiales.
La cifra es aún peor que las estimaciones independientes publicadas hasta la fecha y apenas algo más de la mitad del modesto plan estatal para esta temporada de producción de azúcar, un producto que durante décadas fue pilar fundamental de la economía cubana, primera exportación nacional y fuente de orgullo.
De “desastre” califica estos datos un antiguo responsable del ahora extinto Ministerio de la Industria Azucarera (Minaz) de Cuba, que pide mantener el anonimato.
Este volumen, advierten los expertos, resulta insuficiente para las necesidades internas del país, pone en aprietos a la industria del ron cubano (que tiene el azúcar nacional como ingrediente imprescindible) e impide de nuevo que La Habana cumpla su acuerdo de suministro preferente con China.
El cálculo se ha elaborado a partir de una treintena de reportes parciales de medios oficiales nacionales y regionales, y ante la falta de información comprensiva por parte de instituciones y medios oficiales. EFE solicitó una entrevista con la azucarera estatal Azcuba, pero no ha obtenido respuesta.
La suma de los objetivos de los quince centrales azucareros operativos en esta zafra (menos de un 10 % de los que llegaron a funcionar en Cuba) no llega a las 280.0000 toneladas de azúcar, según estas informaciones. Los centrales azucareros son fábricas en las que se procesa la caña de azúcar.
Por el contrario, no se ha informado públicamente del resultado total de la cosecha, pese a su relevancia económica.
Distintos medios oficiales difundieron por separado las cifras de producción de diez centrales (entre ellos los principales del país, como el Antonio Guiteras de Las Tunas y el Ciro Redondo de Ciego de Ávila) por un total de 95.584 toneladas.
De la cosecha de los otros cinco centrales no se puede encontrar información pública, pero sí de sus objetivos, que sumaban 52.068 toneladas de azúcar.
Si como publicó Granma -órgano oficial del Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC, único legal)- tan sólo uno de los 15 centrales operativos -el Melanio Hernández- logró su meta, entonces se puede inferir que la zafra 2024/2025 no superó las 150.000 toneladas.
Algunos centrales han tenido resultados muy pobres. El Dos Ríos de Santiago de Cuba apenas logró 2.700 toneladas, de las 20.811 planificadas (13%); y el Antonio Guiteras sumó 7.200, de las 45.000 previstas (16%).
Según distintas fuentes históricas, Cuba no producía menos de 150.000 toneladas desde el siglo XIX, cuando las guerras de independencia frente a España lastraron la producción del ya entonces cultivo principal de la isla. En 1989, por el contrario, el país alcanzó los ocho millones.
Cuba llegó a ser el primer exportador mundial de azúcar y contó con más de 160 centrales. A lo largo de los años suscribió acuerdos preferenciales con Estados Unidos (antes de la revolución) y con la URSS.
Tras el derrumbe del sector los expertos señalan, entre otras causas, la obsolescencia de los centrales, la falta de inversiones y recursos materiales (equipos, combustible, etc), los apagones, las adversidades climatológicas, la escasez de personal capacitado y las ineficiencias.
El ex responsable del central destaca a EFE que se está plantando poca caña por hectárea y que parte de la materia prima se pierde por no procesarla rápidamente por los cortes eléctricos, las averías y la falta de combustible.
Este jubilado, que lloró el día que vio las ruinas en que se ha convertido el central que dirigió, señala que quizá, en las condiciones actuales, sería más barato importar el azúcar que producirlo en Cuba.
La industria azucarera cubana vive un continuado declive desde hace décadas, en parte por el contexto externo (caída del bloque socialista europeo, sanciones estadounidenses, precios en el mercado internacional…), pero también por decisiones propias, entre las que destaca el proceso de reestructuración del sector a principios de siglo.
La del azúcar es otra más de las crisis que padece la isla, en una situación económica y social muy complicada desde 2020. En estos cinco años el producto interno bruto (PIB) de la isla se ha contraído un 11% y las previsiones apuntan a una nueva caída este ejercicio.
(EFE)
Agricultural Markets,Corporate Events,South America / Central America,SAN CRISTOBAL
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is looking into two political action committees for allegedly violating the law by assisting Texas state Democrats’ travel out of the state in an effort to avoid a quorum during a redistricting standoff.
The groups are the Powered by People PAC, led by former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, and the Texas Majority PAC, led by members of his former staff.
«Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable,» Paxton said in a news release on Wednesday.
O’Rourke unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, lost to Sen. Ted Cruz in a closely-watched 2018 contest, and lost to Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022. Still, he remains a prominent voice in the state’s political scene.
GEORGE SOROS, BETO O’ROURKE BEHIND FUNDING FOR DEMS FLEEING TEXAS OVER GOP CONGRESSIONAL MAP
A side-by-side of George Soros and Beto O’Rourke. Soros is a major backer of the Texas Majority PAC, and O’Rourke is the leader of the Powered by People PAC, which is helping Democrats in the state amid a redistricting battle. (Getty Images)
«Texas cannot be bought. I look forward to thoroughly reviewing all of the documents and communications obtained throughout this investigation. These jet-setting runaways have already lost public trust by abandoning our state, and Texans deserve to know if they received illegal bribes to do it,» Paxton continued.
Public records indicated that the Powered by People PAC does get a significant number of smaller donations through individuals by platforms like ActBlue, but it’s also received over hundreds of thousands from the progressive consulting firm Middle Seat, and $100,000 from Simone Coxe, a nonprofit leader who was a major funder of O’Rourke’s gubernatorial bid, according to the Texas Tribune. In addition, FEC records show that the Harris Victory Fund gave over $114,000 in January 2024 and $60,000 in December 2023.
In 2024, it also received just over $5,000 from Luci Baines Johnson, the former first daughter of President Lyndon Johnson.
AWOL DEMS’ FLIGHT FROM TEXAS MAY HAVE BEEN FUNDED ILLEGALLY BY BETO O’ROURKE NONPROFIT
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks at a primary election gathering in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
According to the Texas Tribune, the PAC has acknowledged assisting lawmakers with travel outside of the state, including helping to cover $500 daily fines.
«100% of your donation will go to supporting Texas Democrats in their fight against Trump’s power grab,» the website stated, Fox News Digital previously reported.
The group reports over $3.5 million in cash on hand as of June 30, according to Federal Election Commission records.
BETO O’ROURKE ASKED POINT BLANK WHY HE’S HELPING DEMS FLEE TEXAS RATHER THAN HELPING TEXANS
Texas Democrats stood next to Illinois lawmakers on Aug. 4, 2025, to oppose redistricting measures proposed by Texas Republicans. (Fox News)
As for the Texas Majority PAC, it receives heavy funding from George Soros, a longtime Democratic donor.
«If Texas lawmakers are bowing to the Soros Slush Fund rather than the will of the voters, Texans deserve to know. Getting financial payouts under the table to abandon your legislative duties is bribery,» Paxton said in a Thursday statement. «Texas Majority PAC’s actions seem to indicate that it may be using its Soros-funded resources to break the law and fund the illegal abandonment of public office. If that’s the case as determined by this investigation, there will be a heavy price to pay.»
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Fox News Digital reached out to Powered by People PAC and the Texas Majority PAC for comment on the Paxton investigation. O’Rourke responded to a post from Paxton on Wednesday, saying the Democrat is «scared of accountability.»
«Scared? If we stop the Texas steal & win the House, your guy’s crimes & corruption will be exposed for all to see. The girls traded with Epstein. The bribes taken from foreign governments. And when he goes down, your corrupt, impeached, twice indicted ass is going down with him!» O’Rourke replied on X.
texas,beto orourke,greg abbott,congress
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