WORLD Radio – Friday morning news: May 9, 2025
The news of the day, including Cardinals elect first American pope, U.S. and UK agree on new trade deal, White House proposes major overhaul of outdated air traffic control system
Pope Leo XIV appears on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday. Associated Press / Photo by Alessandra Tarantino
New pope » White smoke billowed from a chimney at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel on Thursday, drawing cheers from a crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square and signaling to the world that the Catholic Church has a new pope.
He is Robert Prevost from the United States, who becomes the first American pope in history to lead the church of 1.4 billion people.
In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, he addressed the crowd in Italian, one of five languages he speaks. He emphasized peace, dialogue and evangelizing through missionary work.
LEO (translated): God loves everyone. Evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God.
The 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary took the name Leo XIV (14).
The new pontiff is also a citizen of Peru, where he lived for years, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop. He was elevated to the senior ranks of cardinals in January.
U.S. officials congratulate new pope » US officials were quick to congratulate Pope Leo. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce read a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a devout Catholic.
BRUCE: I extend my heartfelt congratulations to his Holiness Pope Leo the 14th on his election as the 267th successor to St. Peter. This is a moment of profound significance for the Catholic Church offering renewed hope and continuity amid the 2025 Jubilee year.
And President Trump told reporters outside the White House:
TRUMP: To have the pope from the United States of America, that’s a great honor.
He said the White House and the Vatican have already begun discussing a meeting between the president and the new pope.
UK trade deal » Hours earlier inside the White House, the president announced a new trade deal with the UK, calling it the first of many trade deals to come.
TRUMP: With this deal, the UK joins the United States in affirming that reciprocity and fairness is an essential and vital principle of international trade.
He said the agreement will reduce non-tariff barriers that—in his words … have “unfairly discriminated” against American products.
He added that the deal will dramatically increase access to the UK market for American agricultural products, including beef and ethanol.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined the president by speakerphone for the Oval Office announcement.
STARMER: Really important deal. This is gonna boost trade, uh, between and across our countries. It’s gonna not only protect jobs, but create jobs.
The UK says the deal will cut tariffs on British cars from 27.5% to 10% and eliminate tariffs on steel and aluminum.
China trade talks preview » And this weekend Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will lead a delegation in Switzerland for talks with top Chinese trade officials.
Trump says he expects “substantive” talks.
TRUMP: We’d like to see China opened up so we can compete in China and, you know, give people something that they’ve never had, you know, access to something that’d be great for the world. It would be great for our businesses, and I think it would be great for friendship.
Trump says he believes Beijing wants to make a deal and has a lot to gain by doing so.
The New York Post reports that the Trump administration is considering a “plan to slash the 145% tariff on Chinese imports by more than half — effective as soon as next week.”
Ukraine-Russia latest » The Trump administration is still trying to negotiate a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Vice President J-D Vance said Thursday that any agreement must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty.
VANCE: I actually think it’s progress that they’re even talking at all—the Russians and the Ukrainians. I think it’s progress that they’re putting concrete peace plans on the table. But we knew that the Russians’ first offer would be too much.
And it may continue to be an uphill climb. Ukraine has already accused Russia of violating its own self-imposed ceasefire. Vladimir Putin promised not to launch attacks on Ukraine for 72 hours amid Victory in Europe Day celebrations.
But Ukrainian officials say Russian forces dropped guided air bombs onto homes in Ukraine’s Sumy region yesterday, killing at least one person.
New air traffic control system » The Trump administration is proposing a multibillion-dollar overhaul of the U.S. air traffic control system in the wake of recent deadly plane crashes and technical failures.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the plan will be challenging, but for aviation professionals and the flying public, it’s critical to upgrade an outdated system.
DUFFY: To actually deliver an air traffic control system that’s going to keep them safe. It’s not going to have them delayed for four hours or their flights canceled. A system that works for them.
The plan calls for six new air traffic control centers, along with technology upgrades at all air traffic facilities.
Officials want to add optic fiber, wireless, and satellite technology at thousands of locations, replace radars, and increase the number of airports with systems designed to reduce near misses on runways.
No word yet on an exact price tag.
I’m Kent Covington.
Straight ahead: John Stonestreet and Culture Friday. Plus, Word Play with George Grant.
This is The World and Everything in It.
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