Pope Francis remained in critical condition as Argentines and Romans gathered in the Eternal City to pray for his recovery from double pneumonia. Source

A veterinarian at the Corona Animal Emergency Center found 44 items in the stomach of a 7-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog that required surgery on Monday evening. Source

Rep. Byron Donalds has announced that he’s entering the race to succeed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2026. Source

For the second time in two weeks, DOGE’s “receipts” don’t match its cost-cutting claims. Source

Consumer confidence has biggest drop since 2021; Reporter’s Notebook: Federal worker morale amid shrinking bureaucracy Source

To shrink the bureaucracy, act like the bureaucracy — this appears to be the goal of Elon Musk’s surprise email that asked federal workers “What did you do last week?” The approach may shrink the ranks, but how does it affect those who remain? John Dickerson gives his take. Source

Two major reports released in the past month show the nation’s fourth and eighth graders overall have declined in math and reading since 2019. But, surprisingly adults aren’t doing much better. Nat Malkus, deputy director of education policy at the American Enterprise Institute, joins to discuss. Source

The Benn family fled the South in the 1950s, laying down roots in Altadena. Now, they face an uncertain future. Source

A Black family whose history in Altadena, California, spans generations lost 20 homes in the Eaton Fire near Los Angeles, destroying decades of legacies built in the community. Elise Preston reports. Source

The rise of anti-immigrant sentiment in Germany’s east helped propel the far-right “Alternative for Germany” party to its biggest gains in the national election held this past Sunday. Holly Williams reports how some German voters are nervous about a return to a dark past. Source