INTERNACIONAL
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.
FOX NEWS TO AIR SPECIAL LIVE COVERAGE OF POPE FRANCIS’ FUNERAL ON SATURDAY
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.
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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
Donald Trump advirtió que las negociaciones sobre Gaza son “intensas” y que continuarán hasta lograr un acuerdo de paz
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, afirmó este viernes que las negociaciones sobre la situación en Gaza con países de Medio Oriente son de una intensidad significativa y que tanto Israel como el grupo terrorista palestino Hamas están al tanto de los avances, según declaraciones que realizó en la plataforma Truth Social.
El líder de la Casa Blanca indicó que las conversaciones continuarán el tiempo que sea necesario para alcanzar un acuerdo satisfactorio, en el marco de la ofensiva israelí contra Hamas en la Franja de Gaza.
Durante los últimos días, Trump se reunió con líderes y funcionarios de varias naciones de mayoría musulmana para debatir el conflicto en Gaza. Según explicó el enviado especial estadounidense Steve Witkoff, el mandatario presentó a esos dirigentes una propuesta de paz de 21 puntos para la región.
“Las negociaciones han sido intensas durante cuatro días y seguirán tanto tiempo como sea necesario para lograr un acuerdo plenamente exitoso. Todos los países de la región están involucrados”, escribió Trump. El mandatario subrayó que Hamas está “muy al tanto” de las discusiones y que Israel ha sido informado “en todos los niveles”, aunque no ofreció más detalles y calificó el proceso como “inspirado y productivo”.
El jefe de Estado había prometido una pronta resolución de la guerra, pero ochos meses después del inicio de su mandato, el conflicto persiste. Trump asumió en un contexto de alto el fuego de dos meses entre Israel y Hamas que culminó cuando se reanudaron los bombardeos israelíes el 18 de marzo. Funcionarios estadounidenses manifestaron esta semana que se espera un avance importante en Gaza.
Por otra parte, Trump declaró este viernes ante la prensa en la Casa Blanca su confianza en que pronto se alcanzará un pacto para poner fin a la guerra en Gaza. “Parece que tenemos un acuerdo; será uno que permitirá recuperar a los rehenes y pondrá fin a la guerra”, manifestó.
El presidente turco Recep Tayyip Erdogan comunicó que durante su visita a Nueva York, en el marco de la Asamblea General de la ONU, alcanzó un “entendimiento” con Trump sobre un alto el fuego en Gaza, tras una reunión bilateral en la Casa Blanca.
En una comparecencia a bordo del avión presidencial de regreso a Turquía, el mandatario resaltó su apoyo a la visión de Trump para una paz global. Explicó que ambos están “a favor de detener cuanto antes el derramamiento de sangre” y expresó su esperanza de que “pronto se produzca algún cambio” en el conflicto israelí-palestino.
Erdogan mencionó que los dos presidentes compartieron la necesidad de un cese permanente del fuego y trabajaron en la definición de estrategias para lograr primero una interrupción de los ataques y, posteriormente, una paz duradera. El mandatario afirmó haber logrado un consenso con Trump al respecto, de acuerdo con informaciones publicadas por el diario Hurriyet.
El mandatario turco recordó la buena relación que ha mantenido con Trump desde su primer mandato y confió en la posibilidad de alcanzar resoluciones positivas en el marco de la cooperación entre ambos países, basada en el respeto mutuo y la comunicación clara. No obstante, reconoció que persisten dificultades para resolver cuestiones complejas y advirtió que los avances no dependen de una sola reunión, aunque el reciente encuentro permitirá avances futuros en varios ámbitos.
(Con información de AFP, EP y Reuters)
North America,Government / Politics,Joint Base Andrews
INTERNACIONAL
UN Security Council rejects China-Russia resolution extending Iran nuclear sanctions relief before deadline
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The United Nations on Friday failed to adopt a resolution brought by China and Russia that would have extended sanctions relief for Iran for another six months under the nuclear deal.
The vote was 4 to 9, with Algeria, China, Pakistan and Russia in favor and Denmark, France, Greece, Panama, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, the United Kingdom and the United States against.
Guyana and South Korea abstained.
The vote came after Britain, France and Germany triggered the deal’s «snapback» measure, which reinstates sanctions on Iran following stalled talks on its nuclear program.
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The United Nations on Friday failed to adopt a resolution brought by China and Russia that would have extended sanctions relief for Iran for another six months under the nuclear deal. (United Nations)
The sanctions, which will go into effect unless there’s a last-minute deal Friday, will include freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms deals with Tehran and penalizing any development of Iran’s ballistic missile program.
«We had hoped that European colleagues and the U.S. would think twice, and they would opt for the path of diplomacy and dialogue instead of their clumsy blackmail, which merely results in escalation of the situation in the region,» Dmitry Polyanskiy, deputy Russian ambassador to the U.N., said during the meeting.
Bushehr nuclear plant in Iran April 29, 2024 (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, had also been meeting with his French, German and British counterparts in the lead-up to the U.N. vote.
A European diplomat told The Associated Press the meeting «did not produce any new developments, any new results.»
On Tuesday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, also said Iran would not «surrender to pressure» and that negotiations with the U.S. would be a «dead end.»
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, center, walks on his way to a bilateral meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City Wednesday. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)
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In an interview on Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the decision «unfair, unjust and illegal.»
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
iran,world,united nations,nuclear proliferation
INTERNACIONAL
Trump administration official physically assaulted at UNGA by ‘deranged leftist,’ White House says
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EXCLUSIVE: A Trump administration official was physically assaulted by a «deranged leftist» inside the United Nations Thursday afternoon during the gathering of the UN General Assembly, Fox News Digital has learned.
An official working in international relations for the Department of Health and Human Services was in New York City serving in a support role for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the department’s leadership team at UNGA.
«An HHS official was followed into a bathroom, recorded, physically assaulted and verbally accosted by a deranged leftist at the UN who somehow entered the venue past multiple layers of security,» White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital. «Thankfully, the official is safe, and the lunatic was arrested, but this is part of a disturbing and dangerous set of failures by the UN after their sabotage of President Trump ahead of and during his speech.»
TRUMP SLAMS UN FOR ‘CREATING NEW PROBLEMS,’ QUESTIONS ITS ROLE IN FIERY UNGA SPEECH
Kelly told Fox News Digital that the U.S. Secret Service will investigate «how this violent protester was admitted into a major national security event.»
A source familiar told Fox News Digital that the individual has been charged with assault, aggravated harassment, attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. The individual was released from custody at 7:30 p.m. Friday night, the source said. The individual is expected in court next on Nov. 13.
United Nations Headquarters in New York City July 16, 2024. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
«The UN must answer why these highly concerning incidents continue to happen against the president and his staff,» Kelly said.
«We are outraged that a member of the U.S. delegation was physically assaulted inside of UN Headquarters the afternoon of September 25,» a U.S. UN spokesperson told Fox News Digital. «This attack must be addressed swiftly, and consequences must be felt.»
The spokesperson told Fox News Digital that «the UN itself recognizes that it has lost its way.»
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«Now, it has devolved into an arena where an American delegation member is harassed and assaulted,» the spokesperson said. «If you can’t keep people safe in your own building, how can you claim to be the world’s diplomatic center?»
The spokesperson called the incident «unacceptable,» and told Fox News Digital that the United Nations «will use every available resource to support the U.S. Secret Service into their investigation of this incident.»
«We know the UN needs dramatic reform and now must also immediately implement a thorough review of the UN’s security operations,» the spokesperson said. «The UN’s failures are evident worldwide, and now in its own halls.»
The U.S. UN spokesperson added: «Enough is enough.»
The official recounted her experience of being followed, harassed, and physically assaulted inside the United Nations in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital.
The official told Fox News Digital that she was walking down the hallway at the UN when a woman began berating her and shining a bright light in her face.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City Sept. 23, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
«It was very disorienting,» the official said. «Once I took a step back and regained my footing, it didn’t stop. I realized what was happening. I realized I was being yelled at and that the light was also a recording device.»
The official tried to get away from the woman who was screaming derogatory and pro-Palestinian comments at her as she followed closely behind.
OUSTED DIRECTOR SAYS AMERICA250 LEADERS ‘HATE TRUMP MORE THAN THEY LOVE AMERICA’ AFTER FIRING FOR KIRK POST
The official said the woman called her a «fascist» and a «Nazi.»
«The insults changed to specific insults,» the official said, telling Fox News Digital that she went into the women’s bathroom to get away, but that the woman kept following her.
«Her yelling turned into screaming—hyper-aggressive insults,» the official said.
The official tried to hide in a bathroom stall, but told Fox News Digital that the woman was pushing and trying to get into the stall. Once the official was able to close the door, the woman put the camera over the door of the bathroom stall to continue filming the official and screaming.
The new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, former national security adviser Mike Waltz, speaks at a Security Council emergency meeting to discuss Russian fighter jet incursions into NATO member Estonia’s airspace at the United Nations as world leaders arrive for the 80th session of the U.N.’s General Assembly Sept. 22, 2025, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The official waited for the screaming to stop, and exited the stall, hoping the woman had left, but the woman was waiting for her at the door, and continued to follow her into the hallway, continuing to yell at her and shine the light in her face. Eventually, the official was able to get away.
The official told Fox News Digital the incident lasted approximately 10 minutes.
«It felt very political in nature,» she said. «Secretary Kennedy gets a tremendous number of bows and arrows and threats that he deals with, but it seems that it’s not enough, and it is trickling down.»
RFK Jr. speaks at the 2025 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville April 24, 2025. (© Nicole Hester/The Tennessean/USA Today Network)
She added: «That’s a scary thing for the team. But we’re more empowered, and we have amazing leadership.»
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Fox News Digital has learned that the woman was arrested by the New York City Police Department. It is unclear whether she is still in custody.
The NYPD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The United Nations did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
united nations,white house
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