Francis changed church policy on the death penalty and nuclear weapons but upheld it on abortion.

He described abortion as evidence of today’s “throwaway culture” and likened abortion to “hiring a hit man to resolve a problem” Francis allowed ordinary priests — not just bishops — to absolve Catholic women who had intentionally terminated a pregnancy.

Francis was the first pope to use scientific data in a major teaching document by calling global warming a largely human-caused problem.

He called the death penalty "inadmissible" in all cases, regardless of the severity of the crime.

He also called life in prison without parole a "hidden death penalty" and solitary confinement a "form of torture".

Francis denounced the “globalization of indifference” shown to migrants and urged Europe and other countries to open their doors to those seeking better lives.

As archbishop of Buenos Aires , he opposed efforts to legalize same-sex marriage and proposed, unsuccessfully, that the country approve civil unions instead.

He articulated support for those Argentine civil union protections in a 2019 interview with Televisa .

Even though cardinals don't campaign for the job, there are always front-runners going into a conclave to choose the next pope.

Any baptized Catholic male is eligible, though only cardinals have been selected since 1378 .

Pope Francis , who died Monday , appointed the vast majority of electors.

The idea of an American pope has long been taboo, given the geopolitical power of the U.S. But the Chicago -born Prevost , 69 , could be a first .

He has extensive experience in Peru , first as a missionary and then an archbishop.

He is currently prefect of the Vatican ’s powerful dicastery for bishops, in charge of vetting nominations.

Zuppi would be a candidate in Francis ’ tradition of ministering to those on the margins.

His relative youth would count against him for cardinals seeking a short papacy.

His family had strong institutional ties: His father worked for Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano and his mother was the niece of Cardinal Carlo Confalonieri .

Karen Read is accused of striking John O'Keefe with her SUV in 2022 .

A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile.

Legal experts expect prosecutors to focus on Read's behavior as they did during the first trial.

They also predict the prosecution will lay out a stronger and more coherent case.

A growing list of policy changes ordered by President Trump since he was sworn in have been at least temporarily blocked by federal judges after being challenged in court.

But views on that question are divided by party amid President Donald Trump ’s running battle with judges over his policies.

With one small exception, a majority of the public rejects the claim that presidents should have expansive powers.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 .

Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced his death at 9:47 a.m. , just over two hours after Francis had died.

Francis made his final public appearance a day earlier on Easter Sunday , though he had delegated the celebration of the Easter Mass to another cardinal.

A funeral Mass, funeral Mass and burial dates haven’t been announced yet.

Negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran 's rapidly advancing nuclear program will move Wednesday to what’s known as the “expert level” Experts not involved in the talks warn that this doesn't necessarily signal a deal is imminent.

Instead, it means that the talks between Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff haven't broken down at what likely is the top-level trade — Tehran limiting its atomic program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Expert level nuclear talks begin at the start of the nuclear negotiations.

Expert: "Expert talks can sometimes be a fudge for seniors to avoid working on tough issues" Expert: If there is a deal to be made, technical experts are the ones who will get it done.

Former Tennessee House speaker Glen Casada and onetime aide Cade Cothren are facing a federal criminal trial this week .

Jury selection begins Tuesday and the trial could take weeks .

The two face a 20 -count indictment for charges including bribery, kickbacks and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in prison.

Cothren 's attorneys have claimed that he helped Sexton in multiple ways after Cothren resigned, including in Sexton 's 2019 bid for speaker, an attempt to undermine the premise that House Republicans opposed using Cothren 's services due to his prior scandals. The judge approved subpoenas for Sexton 's phone records related to the claim..

Former Sen. Bob Menendez 's wife, Nadine Menendez , found guilty in federal bribery trial.

Prosecutors argued the two were "partners in crime" and accepted bribes in exchange for political favors.

She will be sentenced in June , the same month her husband is due to begin serving an 11-year sentence.

Pope Francis died April 21 at age 88 , the Vatican confirmed.

The pontiff was hospitalized in February with pneumonia in both lungs.

Per tradition, a conclave will be held to determine who will succeed him following his death.

In his final years , Francis faced numerous health complications, including having part of his colon removed.

President Donald Trump offered brief condolences over the passing of Pope Francis .

The two men clashed repeatedly, including as far back as Trump 's 2016 presidential campaign, over how to treat migrants.

Pope Francis called Trump 's mass deportation policy a "disgrace" in a letter to U.S. bishops in February .

Asked by a reporter earlier what he thought would be Pope Francis ' legacy, Trump responded: "He's a very good man who loved -- loved the world, and he especially loved people who were having a hard time. And that's good with me.".