It’s Wednesday. Doesn’t it feel like everyone on social media is a self-described papal expert these days?
In today’s issue:
- Papal conclave begins
- Biden dishes in first major post-presidency interview
- Interest rate announcement this afternoon
- Trump’s doll analogy irks Republicans
- Disney announces a new park
⛪️ IN VATICAN CITY
The conclave has begun:
In the Vatican, 133 Roman Catholic cardinals are meeting to cast their first ballots for a new pope.
Who else, besides me, watched “Conclave” to prepare? Politico reports that Catholic cardinals are also watching the 2024 Hollywood film to prepare for the actual thing! If you’ve seen it, here’s an explainer on how accurate the movie actually is.
One of the front-runners is named Cardinal Pizzaballa. That’s not a bit.
Wanna seethe betting odds? Cardinals Pietro Parolin or Luis Antonio Tagle are currently topping betting markets.
➤ THE LOGISTICS:
Cardinals will vote four times a day until they reach a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope. They will stay at Vatican guesthouses overnight until they finish. The New York Times pointed out that the two last conclaves took two days to decide — though the record for the longest papal conclave was two years (!!!) in the 1200s.
After each round of voting, the ballots are burned. Smoke emerges from a chimney above the chapel. If the smoke is black, cardinals are still undecided. When the smoke is white, that means they’ve reached a decision.
➤ SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:
📹 Watch the doors close— this means it has officially begun.
📸Photos of the Sistine Chapel set up for the conclave
Cardinal Dolan posted a video before entering: He says this is the last you’ll hear from him until a pope is chosen. 📹 Watch
^ I really wish he or another cardinal would post a “get ready with me” video. “Here’s my OOTD (outfit of the day) … “
📹 Pope Francis’s papal ring has been destroyed— this is to prevent forgery or misuse in the future.
➤ INTERESTING READS:
The New York Times: ‘How the Divide Over Francis’ Legacy Is Shaping the Contest for Pope’
The Wall Street Journal: The Vatican Financial Mess Pope Francis Couldn’t Fix
⏱️ON CAPITOL HILL
This is an incredible headline:
The Hill’s Al Weaver wins for my favorite start to a story: “Senate Republicans have a request for President Trump: Stop talking about dolls.”
OK, some context: Trump’s example to illustrate the sacrifices Americans may have to make in his trade war has been that children may not be able to have as many dolls. The doll example is rubbing some Republicans the wrong way.
Weaver asked a half-dozen GOP senators about the remarks — and none of them threw their full weight behind them: “Some said they understood Trump’s point to a certain degree or pointed to his ‘unique’ style of communication. However, several indicated they wished Trump would discontinue the line and use a different comparison that would better apply to middle-class Americans.” Read Weaver’s full reporting
By the way: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent leaned into Trump’s doll talk Tuesday, arguing that a young girl with fewer dolls will have a better life than the generation before.
➤ WHAT ELSE IS ON GOP SENATORS’ MINDS:
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) says she’s seriously considering either running for governor or Senate in 2026. Republican senators acknowledge she could win the nomination because of her name recognition and ties to Trump, but they worry she could cost them the election because of some of the “crazy” things she’s said. Read Alexander Bolton’s reporting
➤ HAPPENING TODAY:
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is testifying again today. FBI Director Kash Patel is also testifying on Capitol Hill.
🧠️ THE WHITE HOUSE
What’s on Trump’s mind today?:
“60 Minutes.”
President Trump posted another blistering attack against CBS News and “60 Minutes” this morning amid his ongoing lawsuit over its interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris last year.
He argued the interview was “unlawfully fixed, manipulated, and doctored throughout by CBS, in order to try and make Kamala appear at least somewhat coherent.” 🔎 Read Trump’s full post
FWIW: A group of Democrats, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), is urging Paramount Global *not* to settle the lawsuit from Trump.
Biden’s ready to dish it out:
Former President Biden sat down with BBC News on Monday for his first major interview since leaving office. Here are the highlights:
Does he regret his timing of withdrawing from the 2024 race?: No, “I don’t think it would have mattered,” Biden told the BBC.
On the war in Russia: He slammed Trump’s approach to the Ukraine-Russia war as “modern-day appeasement.”
What does he think of Trump’s foreign policy?: “What the hell’s going on here?” Biden said. Read his full elaboration
On that wild Trump-Zelensky meeting: “I found it sort of beneath America in the way that took place,” Biden said, referring to the combative meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Yes, this meeting.
💻 Watch Biden’s full interview
➤ TIDBIT:
First lady Melania Trump is hosting a White House event to honor the late former first lady Barbara Bush, where a postage stamp will be unveiled. Former President George W. Bush is *not* planning to attend, per The Washington Post.
➤ MORE READS:
The Hill: 5 media outlets on Trump’s hit list
The Atlantic: The Impossible Plight of the Pro-Tariff Liberals
The Washington Post: Trump’s tariffs hit baby industry hard, threatening parents with price hikes, shortages
COMING UP
The House and Senate are in. President Trump and Vice President Vance are in Washington. (All times EST)
Today: Real ID enforcement begins. What to know
1 p.m.: Trump and Vance have lunch together.
1 p.m.: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream
2:30 p.m.: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference. 💻 Livestream
5 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆Today’s agenda
5:30 p.m.: A Senate vote. 📆Today’s agenda
6:15 p.m.: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts participates in a fireside chat in Buffalo, N.Y. 💻Livestream
This weekend: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with Chinese officials in Switzerland.
🐝 INTERNET BUZZ
🍗 Celebrate: Today is National Roast Leg of Lamb Day.
🍦 A new Disney theme park: The Walt Disney Company announced they will be building a theme park resort in Abu Dhabi. This will be the seventh Disney park resort (!) The park, in a partnership with Miral, a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based entertainment company will include a waterfront park on the popular tourist destination, Yas Island. An opening date has not been revealed yet, though. 📸 What it will look like
^ Keep in mind that Trump will be visiting the Middle East next week. He may potentially stop in the UAE.
🚀 So, we’re going to Mars?: Politico reports that NASA may launch rockets to Mars next year.
👋 AND FINALLY…
Because it’s my goal to always leave you in a good mood, watch Benny be the most patient golden retriever I’ve ever seen.
