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Storm Hits During Busy Travel Weekend; Record High Temps on East Coast; Facebook to Join S&P 500; Americans Evacuated from South Sudan; NASA Delays Next Emergency Spacewalk; Teen Dies a Week after School Shooting; President Obama Briefed on South Sudan; Failed Evacuation Attempt Out of South Sudan; Pope Francis' First Christmas At Vatican; Former Russian Dissident Opens Up About His Time Behind Bars; Spreading Christmas Cheer

Aired December 22, 2013 - 16:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, again, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Here are the top stories we're following in the CNN NEWSROOM.

The death toll climbs from a fierce winter storm hitting nearly half the country and the danger isn't over yet. Ice and snow are creating treacherous road conditions for tens of millions of holiday travelers.

Americans are air lifted, meantime, out of south Sudan as violence today are spreads. But many are still stuck. Hear what the U.S. is planning to get them to safety.

And the dying wish of an Iowa woman is kept secret for two years. Now just days before Christmas her family finds out what she wanted. It's a story you won't forget and it's happening this hour.

First up, snow, ice and flood waters. About 180 million Americans are dealing with that nightmare weather today. The result of a powerful weekend storm, ice is causing problems in upstate New York and northern New England right now. Trailing and power lines are down and nearly 100,000 people are without electricity.

Parts of the Midwest are feeling their pain. Ice and snow began moving through that region yesterday. Up to a half foot of snow is in the forecast for parts of Wisconsin and Michigan. And then to the south the storm turned deadly. Seven deaths now blamed on the storm. Two in Mississippi where a tornado damaged homes and turned over four semitrucks and four people drowned in flood waters in Kentucky. One person died in a car crash in Missouri.

The timing of this storm couldn't be worse. It's just three days before Christmas and nearly a hundred million people are on the move.

Our George Howell is at one of the busiest airports in the world, Chicago O'Hare.

So, George, how is it being impacted there?

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, when you look back behind me, you can see that, you know, this is, indeed, one of the world's busiest airports. You see the lines picking up here in front of Delta. People getting that afternoon flight out of Chicago.

The good news right now, the weather here in Chicago, is cooperating. At least for the moment.

((BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL (voice-over): Traveling through Chicago's O'Hare Airport on one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We actually changed our flight. We're supposed to get out at 4:30 and yesterday we called to change it to be on an earlier flight. So when I saw the snow this morning I said, good. I'm glad we're on an earlier flight. That way if we get delayed we'll at least -- we'll get there some time delay.

(LAUGHTER)

HOWELL: Rachel, John and their slightly camera shy son Michael Coppolla, hiding behind his mother on this occasion, didn't take any chances on their way to New York. Because for many travelers weather is top of mind as a winter storm threatens to snarl travel from the East Coast to the Midwest.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are monitoring the weather a little bit. And we're thinking we're going to be OK.

HOWELL: So far at least 15,000 flights have been delayed this weekend. More than 1,000 cancelled. All according to the airline tracking site, Flightaware.com.

With widespread delays, major hubs from Dallas to Chicago are feeling the holiday ripple effect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're hoping the weather cooperates so we can get out on time.

HOWELL: Fortunately when it comes to getting your Christmas packages to friends and family, companies like FedEx and UPS are on the ready. Armed with snow removal equipment and teams of meteorologist on staff.

Executives in the shipping industry tell CNN they can route planes around the storms and remain confident that they can deliver packages ahead of the holidays. It is a different story for air travelers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't have anyone to watch our kids. So if we don't show up we're hoping they'll just be OK.

HOWELL: Just hoping that their luck holds up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: Fredricka, you know, this is the sort of line when I have an assignment here in Chicago and I have to go to O'Hare. I see this type of line and I'm terrified. And this is what you can kind of expect. This time of year with so many people traveling. Also keep in mind, the weather conditions here in the Midwest, also along, you know, the East Coast, could make for tricky travel. We know that there could be delays anywhere from major airports like Chicago to New York to Washington, D.C. Really all depends upon what happens with the storm system.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

HOWELL: Right now here in Chicago it's good news. We had some snow earlier this morning but I look outside and there's no snow. Things are good here. You know, and let's hope that that continues.

WHITFIELD: Yes. Things are good there as you said but, boy, that line behind you is rather long.

All right. Thanks so much. Hopefully they'll pack a little patience.

So this first weekend of winter is feeling more like spring, however, in some parts like in the south and northeast. In New York City, in fact, weather records are being shattered.

Alexandra Field joining us live from very balmy Central Park, still with that T-shirt on.

Oh my gosh, so people are taking advantage of this warm weather.

(CROSSTALK)

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Most of it. I certainly am.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

FIELD: Hey, we won't see this for a while, I'd imagine. But, at this rate, you just never know. The average temperature in New York City in December are in the 40s so talk about shattering a record. We reached 70 degrees here in New York City today. Well, well above those average temperatures. And you can see there are a lot of people who are out right now, really trying to enjoy this weather right here outside of Central Park in this Christmas boots behind me who are doing a little bit of their last-minute shopping and just enjoying being outdoors.

Of course if you came to New York City to visit over the holiday season, you may have been hoping to see some snowfall and really enjoy the winter weather here. Well, you won't get that opportunity. And tourists who are here today tell us that they certainly did not pack for these kinds of temperatures.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We packed really warm clothes. And now it's too warm. I'm here in a T-shirt. I have mid sweater, I have jacket, I have too much stuff. But it's nice.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I brought boots to walk through snow. I have a heavy parka and I was so warm yesterday that I had to buy a T-shirt so that I could come out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FIELD: If you were in New York City this weekend and you had some holiday shopping to do, you had no excuse for staying home. Not only did the temperature reach 70 today, it was 65 degrees yesterday, which, Fredricka, is also a record.

WHITFIELD: That is balmy. All right. Thanks so much, Alexandra Field. Appreciate that. Enjoy it while you can.

Let's check in with Jennifer Gray who is tracking all of these storm systems.

JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Fred, we could see some slowdowns in parts of the country as we go throughout the late afternoon and to the evening. Chicago could be delayed up to two hours due to snow and the forecast. D.C. could see thunderstorms and showers. So one to two hours there. New York City also because of the thunderstorms one to two-hour delay is possible.

So we are going to see this storm move out. We're going to track it through Atlanta as we go throughout the 6:00 hour and then it's going to be pushing off the East Coast gradually through Monday. So by the time we get to tomorrow the forecast does look significantly better. It actually gets better and better by the hour.

But that doesn't mean we're not going to see heavy rain still across the East Coast throughout the day. Totals by the end of the day could range three to five inches around Atlanta. Could see two to four inches around Charlotte and then D.C. could pick up a couple of inches as well.

Temperatures, it has felt so spring like especially across the East Coast. New York City forecasted to be 58 on Monday. So temperatures coming down from the 60s where they were today. So we're going to see temperatures gradually get cooler and cooler. It will definitely feel like the holidays by Christmas Day with the high temperature of 30 degrees.

The same goes for D.C. Forecasted high of 60 on Monday. But then temperatures get down into the 30s once again by Christmas eve and Christmas day.

So the set up for today, we're going to see snow around the Great Lakes. So this is for Monday, rather. Snow in the Pacific northwest. We're also going to see rain across the Eastern Seaboard with mostly suspect skies down in the south.

Looking good as head into Christmas eve and Christmas day -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Oh, fantastic. Thank you so much, Jennifer.

All right. The Christmas holiday could make for quite a week on Wall Street but one company gets to open its present early.

Here's CNN's Zain Asher on why tomorrow is so big for the Facebook.

ZAIN ASHER, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, this coming week brings some big changes for one particular social media giant. Facebook will start trading on the S&P 500 on Monday. It's certainly a validation that Facebook is one of the nation's most important companies. The move will also open up to a lot more investors, people like you and me, for example.

There are more than 1,000 mutual funds that use the S&P 500 as their benchmark. And they're all going to add Facebook shares to their holdings. So it could be part of your retirement portfolio sometime soon. And, of course, that does mean more money for Facebook.

Also, Wall Street will celebrate Christmas this week. On Christmas eve, trading will end three hours early at 1:00 p.m. Financial markets will be closed on Christmas Day. It's also the final week of the year, a time we usually see what's called a Santa Clause rally. The S&P 500 typically gains about 1.5 percent in that time but so far December has been overall a pretty slow month for stocks. So it's unclear if Santa will appear this year.

Data on manufacturing and housing and (INAUDIBLE) could also impact trading. That's what's coming up this week on Wall Street -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Zain Asher.

All right, coming up a little bit later, I'll talk to a former commander of the International Space Station and ask him why NASA is delaying that emergency space walk.

And some new developments on the Americans trapped in south Sudan. We'll have the newest details next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Now to a developing story out of south Sudan. And a rapidly changing situation, breaking news on trapped Americans there.

Foreign affairs reporter Elise Labott is live for us now from Washington.

So, Elise, what do we know?

ELISE LABOTT, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS REPORTER: Well, Fred, today, the U.S. working with the United Nations, evacuated about 15 Americans and a bunch of citizens from other countries. The U.N. had to leave in securing the airport. And, also, giving a heads up to these fighting factions. You saw what happened on Saturday with the shooting of the U.S. aircraft. Well, they wanted to make sure that these fighting factions knew that these humanitarian workers and they needed to get out.

So the U.S. thinks that all Americans are now out of this area of Bohr where we saw this intense fighting. Still trying to confirm whether there are any more Americans out of the country. These Americans were moved to the capital Juba and other Americans are being moved from Juba, the capital, to Nairobi where they will be safe -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And then what next that pertains to the U.S. involvement?

LABOTT: Well, I think the U.S. is helping along with African nations to try and diffuse this crisis and find a political solution. A lot of African nation have sent envoys and now Secretary of State John Kerry has sent an envoy. Donald Booth who's in the region, unclear when he's going to be on the ground because of the security situation.

But he's going to be working to try and soothe tensions, get the fighting factions of the government and the forces loyal to the former vice president Mushar who is believed to have ignited this fighting to start a political dialogue.

Because, Fred, you know that the United States was instrumental, really, in helping this midwife this young nation and, you know, really has an interest in making sure that it doesn't go from the brink into all-out civil war.

WHITFIELD: All right. Elise Labott, thanks so much from Washington.

A mother sends a special Christmas message to her family two years after she died.

Coming up, her touching wish for her husband and his new fiance.

And next, NASA is getting ready to finish some emergency repairs to the space station. I'll talk to the station's former commander about Tuesday's space walk.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: NASA says the second emergency space walk is now set for Tuesday. Astronauts spent several hours yesterday working on a replacement for a broken cooling pump on the International Space Station. Without the pump, some of the station's important electronics have been shut down.

A second space walk was originally scheduled for tomorrow but that's now being delayed while they make adjustments to one of the space suits. So possibly Tuesday.

So what should we make in the delays to this next space walk?

Joining me now is Chris Hadfield. He's a retired astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station. He's also the author of the book "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth."

We talked about that last month with your book and your survival guide and lots of great life's advice.

So NASA says, Chris, that they are delaying this next space walk so that they can make some adjustments to a new suit for one of the astronauts. So what happened to the suit that was worn yesterday? It was good enough yesterday, wasn't it?

(LAUGHTER)

Now what?

CHRIS HADFIELD, ASTRONAUT: You know, the space suits -- we call them space suits, Fredricka, but they're really like one-person spaceships. You really want everything to work perfectly. It has to be as reliable as we can possibly make it. And there are three of them on board.

But you build them out of piece parts, because of course there are legs and arms and everyone's arms and legs are different lengths. So you start with sort of a central core and then you build the suit around the astronaut.

Now yesterday, when they were coming in, one of the suits showed maybe a sign that it got a little water into the evaporator on the back, on the flash of the evaporator, which cools the suit when you're outside.

WHITFIELD: I see.

HADFIELD: And so just to be good and safe because they only probably need one more space walk. If things go well, they'll be able to get everything done prior to Christmas, which would be nice.

WHITFIELD: Wow.

HADFIELD: They just want to make sure that they've got -- of the three suits on board, they want to have the two best ones configured. So they're just resizing that suit today to get ready to out on Tuesday.

WHITFIELD: All right. Best is good. I think everybody agrees on that one. But, you know, yesterday, we understood that this space walk that took place, the repairs that were happening, apparently, they were really ahead of schedule. They stayed out much longer than at first expected. Some estimates five hours, six hours, even seven hours.

In anyway might have -- you know, the stress of those hours outside of the space station doing that work might have been paired in anyway?

You know the suit or are you saying that this is really fairly customary? It really is just about building a suit for a different person.

HADFIELD: Well, you know, it's everybody's -- all machinery eventually breaks. It's, you know, a fundamental nature of machines. Everybody's car or whatever. And the suits are just very beautifully honed machines. And it would probably work fine if we went out. But if we had a choice that's better than probably, we'll take it.

And -- when time is short. Now we're coming up to a phase soon where the orbit gets more sunlight, sort of more parallel like turning a dish towards the sun. So it gets really hot. And so they don't want to the spacewalks when we're turned that way so we're really focused on the sunlight. So it kind of gives us a deadline. We want to get the spacewalk done in the next few days. So you just weigh out all the -- all the variables. Looks like probably one more spacewalk. We've got a suit that's guaranteed really good.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

HADFIELD: So we just modify that one. You know, just line-up all the things so we have a best chance of success.

WHITFIELD: Excellent. So in your experience when you've done this spacewalks, can you kind of reflect on what's been the most exhilarating part of that experience and perhaps the most nerve racking?

HADFIELD: Nerve racking, you try and minimize. But it's like a thousand dominos in a row. And you're outside for hours. You know, it's sort of like a really complex ballet with only two performers and they have to do everything properly for the ballet to come off. And so you're very carefully choreograph and you recognize if you have a problem early on, that could -- that could escalate into messing up the whole rest of the EVA.

I was blinded for about a half hour during my first spacewalk because of some contamination in the suit. And fortunately, we worked through it, my eyes eventually cleared. We stayed out eight hours and got everything done. But that -- you know, that type of event can be some of the more difficult parts.

The exhilarating side, though, I think, Fredricka, is the part that really dominates. Imagine yourself outside holding onto a spaceship with one hand being able to see the whole world in the, you know, eight hours that you're outside. You're going to go around the world six times. You'll see the whole planet six times. And you'll fly through the northern lights sometimes so that the northern lightings are pouring up underneath your feet.

It's a really busy job. It's more dangerous than staying inside. It's necessary. But it's also just so inherently beautiful. It's such an amazing way to see our planet.

WHITFIELD: Wow. So fascinating. Chris Hatfield, and all that underscoring the premise of your book. And you talk in your book extensively about how you prepare for the worst and, by way of doing that, it means, you're really, you know, always ready when something happens that is unexpected.

(LAUGHTER)

All right --

HADFIELD: That's exactly what the guys are doing there on orbit today. They are --

WHITFIELD: Indeed.

HADFIELD: They sweat this whole stuff right now so they'll have a better chance of success in a couple of days.

WHITFIELD: Fantastic. The book is called "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth."

Chris Hadfield, thanks so much.

That is cool stuff.

Hey, Tuesday's space walk is scheduled to begin at 7:15 a.m., Eastern Time.

All right. The much-hyped "Anchorman 2" debuted in theaters this week. I'll tell you if it came out on top at the box office.

And next, the Pope is celebrating Christmas by serving the under- privileged. We'll tell you who he's reaching out to at this special time of year.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A sad development more than a week after a school shooting in Colorado. 17-year-old Claire Davis died yesterday at the hospital. She was shot on December 13th when a classmate brought a shotgun to their high school and opened fire.

Jim Hooley with our affiliate KDVR spoke to people paying their respects at the school.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM HOOLEY, REPORTER, KDVR: What was a place to share thoughts of hope for the critically wounded teenager --

MADDIE MONTGOMERY, ARAPAHOE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE: I just wanted to support Arapahoe and the family of Claire as much as I could.

HOOLEY: Has now quickly become a memorial for Claire.

CAMILLE NYLS, ARAPAHOE PARENT: It just touches so close to home. She just had a beautiful smile. And she loved animals, so you know she had a kind heart.

HOOLEY: Friends, classmates and parents stopping by with flowers and candles, and hearts heavy beyond belief.

TIFFANY IRWIN, ARAPAHOE PARENT: We went over there. We just said a prayer for her and all the other kids.

HOOLEY: Tiffany Irwin came here with her 7-year-old daughter.

IRWIN: I tried and explain it to my little ones and it's unexplainable. I don't know really what to tell them.

HOOLEY: Claire's family issued a statement saying, "Although we have lost our precious daughter, we will always be grateful for the indelible journey she took us on over the last 17 years, we were truly blessed to be Claire's parents. The grace, laughter and light she brought to this world will not be extinguished by her deaths. To the contrary, it will only get stronger."

MONTGOMERY: I just felt such an overwhelming need to do something and to be as supportive as I can.

HOOLEY: That light burns ever so brightly. Along with that question no one can answer -- why.

NYLS: When kids start killing each other -- I don't even know what more to say about that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Thanks to Jim Hooley with our affiliate KDVR for that story.

All right, the legal troubles of a celebrity chef could get worse. British police plan to take a closer look at evidence suggesting Nigella Lawson used cocaine. Lawson admitted using the drug in a fraud trial against two former personal assistants. The assistants say they saw signs of drug use, but didn't see her take drugs. Police made it clear they don't expect to charge Lawson any time soon.

A former PR exec now says she's sorry for the pain caused by a tweet she sent. Justice Sacco tweeted this saying this, quote, "Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just kidding. I'm white." Then she boarded a flight to South Africa. The tweet went viral and eventually led to her firing. Sacco was an executive at Interactive Corp. A company spokesman condemned the tweet.

Quarterback Payton Manning just added another record to his Hall of Fame career. The Denver Broncos QB with his 51st touchdown of a season. Just a few minutes ago the most ever in a regular season. He's amazing.

The record-breaking pass was a 25 yard strike to Julius Thomas. Manning might not be done yet. The Broncos have another game next week before the end of the season. But he would probably trade the record for another trip to the Super Bowl come February, don't you think?

All right. It was the battle of the sequels at the box office this weekend. The latest "Hobbit" movie fought of "Anchorman 2" to keep the box office title for a second weekend. The "Hobbit" earned $31 million while the "Anchorman 2" pulled in almost $27 million.

Two expected Oscar contenders "American Hustle" and "Saving Mr. Banks" both broke into the top five.

All right, news now from Hawaii. President Obama has been briefed about the situation in south Sudan.

Our Athena Hones is live for us now from Honolulu where the president is spending Christmas with his family.

So, Athena, what have you learned?

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fredricka. Well, I want to read to you part of a letter the president sent to Congress. This is required under the War Powers Resolution. He's writing about what went down yesterday in south Sudan with his failed evacuation attempt. The White House says this kind of letter is pro forma.

This is what he said in part, "On December 21, 2013, approximately 46 additional U.S. military personnel deployed by military aircraft to the area of Bor, South Sudan, to conduct an operation to evacuate U.S. citizens and personnel. After the aircraft came under fire as they approached Bor, the operation was curtailed due to security considerations, and the aircraft and all military personnel onboard departed South Sudan without completing the evacuation. The purpose of this operation was to protect U.S. citizens, personnel and property. As I monitor the situation in South Sudan, I may take further action to support the security of U.S. citizens, personnel and property, including our Embassy, in South Sudan."

Now of course we know now that several U.S. citizens, Americans, who were there in South Sudan working with U.N. were able to be evacuated today. We learned that all the Americans who presented themselves to the U.N. were able to be evacuated. What we don't know is how many more Americans are still on the ground in South Sudan. But this is the latest, the letter the President is required to send to Congress explaining this deployment of troops there to South Sudan. The president has asked his national security team to continue to keep him up-dated on everything going on in that country.

Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Athena. In the mean time the president can't go anywhere. He can't even get to Hawaii without more questions still about Obama care and the upcoming deadlines. People needing to pick a plan by tomorrow. Any new enrollment numbers?

JONES: Well that is interesting, an interesting question Fred. The latest enrollment numbers we have are from the president himself. He said in his press conference on Friday before leaving Washington to come here to Hawaii, that in the first weeks of December alone, more than half a million people have signed up for health insurance via the federal web site, Healthcare.gov. That's a lot faster pace of enrollment than we've seen in previous months.

In November, it was 300 thousand or so and in October many fewer than that. He also said that since October 1st, one in a million people have signed up through the federal and state marketplaces. So that's a little bit of an updated number. We won't get official numbers until January.

Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Athena Jones, thank you so much.

All right. This will be the first Christmas at the Vatican for Pope Francis. And with just three days to go preparations are already under way. The pope is also sending Christmas presents to the under- privileged with a rather personal touch. Here's Erin McLaughlin.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka there is a sense of excitement here in Rome for Christmas. Pope Francis has a lot going on. On Saturday, he delivered a special message to the Curia that is the governing body for the Roman Catholic Church. He urged them to be conscientious objectors to gossip. And said he wants them to focus on service. Later that day, he led by example, cheering up sick children at a local hospital. He spends three hours shaking hands where doctors and saying prayers.

Now, on Christmas Eve, he will celebrate the traditional two-hour mass at St. Peter's Basilica. He's so popular that this year, there were a record number of requests to attend. Christmas Day, he expects thousands of pilgrims to flood through St. Peter's Square to hear him deliver a special message to the world.

Now Pope Francis already has his Christmas gifts taken care of. Two thousand immigrants at a local shelter received special packs complete with Christmas cards signed by the Pope. The packs include everything an immigrant might need to be able to contact loved ones back home including stamps and international calling cards. So a very busy week ahead for Pope Francis as he celebrates his first Christmas at the Vatican.

All right, thanks so much, Erin. So in less than a year, he has managed to endear himself to Catholics around the world.

Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much Erin.

All right. In less than a year Pope Francis has managed to endear himself to Catholics around the world. "Time" Magazine named him it's person of the year earlier this month calling him, "The People's Pope." CNN's religion commentator Father Beck joining me now from New York. So, Father, this will be a rather unique Christmas, I imagine, for Pope Francis. Especially since you heard Erin talk about the pilgrimage. How many people are likely to be there? What do you expect this first Christmas mass to be like for the Pope?

FATHER EDWARD BECK, CNN RELIGION COMMENTATOR: Well obviously it is going to be very crowded from what we hear. But I what see Fredricka is the consistency of the man. I was privileged to be in Rome when he stepped out on the balcony for the first time, I was there with CNN. And after we got over the shock of who it was then the shock was we all waited for the apostolic blessing. And he bowed his head and said would you bless me.

Right then, we knew this was going to be a different kind of papacy. That he was going to move to humility and complacency that perhaps none of us have seen certainly in our lifetime. That has proven to be true. So Christmas, he is going to celebrate that mass and the way he has celebrated everything thus far.

Remember, two weeks after he was elected pope, we saw him go to that prison outside of Rome and he knelt down and he washed the feet of two women, which nobody expected because supposedly you're not suppose to wash the feet of women at that service. One of them a Muslim. So from the very beginning Fredricka we have known this is a different kind of pope and a different kind of man. And he has just continued to surprise.

WHITFIELD: I guess at the beginning, were you convinced that this really is, you know, the pope of the people is something that seems to be engrained in him. That it was not just temporary. It was not just going to last a matter of weeks, but it seems to be that he has been very consistent. Did you think initially it would be very genuine?

BECK: Well when I started to hear the stories from Argentina, of what he was like there, that he used to take the bus instead of the limousine and that he moved out of the residence for the archbishop into a small apartment that it was so cold he had to use the stove to keep it warm. I said let's see what he does in Rome. And sure enough he didn't move into the Asp italic Palace, he got a little Ford Focus instead of the car. So, yes, he was consistent with what he was before. And I think that's what is so remarkable. You're going to become Pope and you think you are going to get all of the perks now of that office. He didn't take them; he kind of said no I'm a man of the people. But really Bishop of Rome, a pastor to my people. He's done that time and time again now.

WHITFIELD: All right. Father Beck, thank you so much and Merry Christmas.

BECK: Merry Christmas to you.

WHITFIELD: And this is a Christmas wish you won't forget. A woman made it before she passed away two years ago. What she wanted for her family will bring you to tears. That story is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A very special Christmas wish brought a family and people at a radio station to tears. The Iowa station holds a contest every Christmas to grant wishes. This year, they got one that was very different. It was from a woman who died two years ago from cancer. Kevin Cooney with our affiliate KCCI has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SCOTT ALLEN, STAR 102 RADIO: Hello, my name is Brenda Schmitz.

KEVIN COONEY, KCCI: Of the thousands of Christmas wishes the station has received over two decades, they've never received one like this.

ALLEN: When you are in receipt of this letter, I will have already lost my battle to ovarian cancer.

COONEY: Brenda Schmitz of Ankeny wrote the letter more than two years ago. Shortly before she died. And she arranged to have a friend keep it until.

ALLEN: Brenda's wish was she wanted David to find somebody to love him and to take care of their boys and help raise them. And when that had happened and he had moved on, that it was OK for this letter to be sent to us for her wish to be granted.

COONEY: Yesterday, David heard the letter for the first time.

COLLEEN KELLY, STAR 102 RADIO: My reason for writing this, I have a wish. I have a wish for David, the boys and the woman and her family, if she has kids, also. I want them to know I love them very much. I was hoping that one small act you all can do for me could change and help their lives forever. And they know I am when them always. First, for David's new lifelong partner, a day or better yet a weekend of pampering in all aspects of her life. Hair, makeup, massage, clothes, shopping, spa, a weekend getaway. Whatever, she deserves it.

DAVID SCHMITZ, HUSBAND: Before Brenda had died, the reason I say this, she had told me she wanted me to, you know, move on and, you know, hopefully meet somebody, et cetera. And she goes I know you'll find somebody. And, you know, I said well how will I know if she's the right person. She goes because you know. I'll be there.

KELLY: Make her smile. And know her efforts are truly appreciated from me. For the family, a magical trip. Somewhere where they all can enjoy their company and companionship as a family and create those memories that will be forever.

COONEY: There was one other wish. A big party for the people who cared for her at Mercy.

DR. DEBORAH TURNER, GYNECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGIST: There are people in this world that no matter who they touch, they bring something special to someone's life and Brenda was that kind of person.

KELLY: May god bless and keep all of you safe there. Thanks for this. When you wish upon a star, Brenda.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: The radio station has put together that trip to Disney World for the whole family, including pampering for David's new fiance. And the hospital team is also getting catered meals for their party.

All right. The end of the year always brings lots of lists from screaming jokes to a monkey in a snow suit and even best hostess. Find out which lists are sweeping this mania next in THE NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A Russian dissident is opening up about the decade he spent behind bars as a critic of the Kremlin. Mikhail Khodorkovsky was once Russia's richest man. He says his fight for political power is over. And in an exclusive interview with CNN's Christiana Amanpour he described his time in prison.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: What was prison like? That's what I want to understand, first? What was it like living in prison? What kind of food? What were the fellow inmates like?

MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY, RUSSIAN DISSIDENT (via translator): Bread, you know big barracks. Where it could be 50 or 100 people in one room. Nothing good.

AMANPOUR: Were you worried? Was there in many prisons around the world, there's violence between inmates or violence from the warders to the inmates. You were stabbed with a knife?

KHODORKOVSKY, (via translator): I was stabbed with a knife once. When I was stabbed with a knife, I was lucky. It just -- he tried to get to my eye but got my nose. As a result, the dentist who was there was somebody who was also a plastic surgeon and, also carried out an operation on me which means it was virtually not nurseful.

AMANPOUR: How did you survive? How did you keep your body and soul together in this situation?

KHODORKOVSKY, (via translator): I saw prison as a trial, as a hardship.

AMANPOUR: You said once that had you known what you were in for, you might have committed suicide.

KHODORKOVSKY, (via translator): It is true that I say that. That really is true. And it's probably true that if before prison I had been able to see all of these future years in advance, at that time, I might not have survived.

AMANPOUR: And will you return to Russia any time soon?

KHODORKOVSKY, (via translator): There is big matter concern, the first criminal case, despite the fact that the European court has said that this legal matter was illegal. The Russian Supreme Court has not cancelled it yet. So if I return to Russia, according to our legislation I may not be released to go abroad again.

AMANPOUR: When you go into politics, what is your plan for the future?

KHODORKOVSKY, (via translator): I cannot say that I've exactly decided on my plans now. But want I certainly decide for myself is that I do not want to be a symbol that Russia does not remain a gliscal (ph) prisoner. I want to be a symbol of the efforts of society that leads to the freedom of prisoners.

AMANPOUR: We're talking about your family now. That was a huge sacrifice. Ten years you didn't see your family grow up. What are your feelings, your reflections on how this cost your family so dearly?

KHODORKOVSKY, (via translator): That is my huge debt which I cannot give back.

AMANPOUR: It's really emotional. Mr. Khodorkovsky we thank you for joining me.

KHODORKOVSKY, (via translator): Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: That interview taking place in Berlin.

And this programming note, tonight, Christiane Amanpour embarks on an incredible journey back in time to explore the history and the mysteries of some of the oldest stories ever told. Watch, "Back to the Beginning with Christiane Amanpour" tonight, 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

This time of year, we hear about Santa making a list and checking it twice. Well, he's not the only one. CNN Jeanne Moos sets out to find out just how many end-of-the-year lists there are. You won't believe what she found.

But, first, Christmas spirit is being delivered around the world in the form of a shoe box to children in need. One Kentucky man is adding love to those boxes one wooden car at a time. Here's Kate Bolduan with this "Impact your World."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Six days a week, 73- year-old Clyde Fogle heads to a work shop in his backyard to make a little magic.

CLYDE FOGLE, TOYMAKER: They are primarily toys with wheels. I've got some cars. I've got some animals.

BOLDUAN: Fogle has been making toys for Operation Christmas Child for close to a decade. The program is run by the charity Samaritan's Purse and gives gift built shoe boxes to children in need around the world.

FOGLE: I see the joy on their faces when they get these boxes. It captures my heart.

BOLDUAN: Woodworking has always been Fogle's hobby.

FOGLE: After I retired, I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, which limited me in my physical abilities. I want to give of myself. And I saw in a catalog where I could buy a kit to make a hundred cars.

BOLDUAN: Fogle has donated around 100,000 toys to Operation Christmas Child.

FOGLE: I have a map in my shop. I have a pin for every country that I know my toys have been. If I get tired of doing this, I look at that map. Oh, yes, that's why I'm doing that and I keep going.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Before we ring in 2014, let's take a look. Let's go back, back into time. The moments of 2013. Time again for those end-of-the-year wrap up lists. And who does that better than Jeanne Moos? No one.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Tis the season to be listing from a 23 most breathtaking science photos of 2013 to the nine social media hoaxes you fell for like the twerking girl pretending to set herself on fire video percolated by Jimmy Kimmel. We should be screaming from all of these lists. Still, how can you resist the 21 most cringe-worthy TV news moments?

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): What is wrong with you?

MOOS: Usually, we try to escape ads, but not the ones that make it onto a year ender list.

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): You going to ship your pants? Right here.

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): You hear that? I can ship my pants for free.

MOOS: Any excuse for a list will do. The 28 most ridiculous celebrity face mashes combine Sarah Palin and Honey Boo Boo, Kim Kardashian and Chris Christie. And what is with the random numbers? Why 32? Remember the days when a list was something on paper that you took to the grocery store? Now, instead of bread and milk, there are even lists listing the best lists. Jonathan Man known as Youtubes song a day man is singing his list of top viral videos.

JONATHAN MAN: All the viral videos of 2013 that briefly held our attention cry, cry, the hatchet guy

MOOS: But the video that gets his goat. With lists ranging from the top ten Miley moments to the top ten Harlem shakes, it's hard to pick a clip of the year. But Jimmy Kimmel tried.

JIMMY KIMMEL: Monkey in a snow suit.

MOOS: And last, monkey in a snow suit didn't win. Scared boss did. And as the scared boss came on the show to accept the award.

It's been a crazy year. But if you think it has been crazy for you wait until you see how nuts it was for the amorous cow that made it to number one on the craziest ash can video. Holy cow, not only were they not hurt; the male was ready for more romance. She's definitely at the top of his list.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Oh, that's just wrong. Some of it is really funny and some of it is really wrong. Thanks so much for joining us all day long. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. My colleague, Rosa Flores here in house in Atlanta. You can take it from here. I think I have a favorite.

ROSA FLORES, CNN ANCHOR: What is it?

WHITFIELD: I think the scared boss. That just had me laughing too loud.

FLORES: I'm thinking the cow is fake.

WHITFIELD: I think it was real. It was too much; I couldn't laugh about that one. All right. You have a great evening.

FLORES: Thank you so much. The next hour of NEWSROOM begins right now.