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India Strikes Pakistan in Major Escalation Over Kashmir Violence; Israeli Strikes Fully Disable Airport in Yemeni's Capital; What's at Stake in Election of a New Pope; Disputed Kashmir Has Spent Decades as Hot Spot; Russian Perspectives on Ongoing War in Ukraine; Carney, Trump Meet in Oval Office; 133 Cardinals to Meet in Coming Hours to Choose Next Pope. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired May 07, 2025 - 00:00   ET

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

[00:00:18]

M.J. LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome. I'm M.J. Lee. Ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM.

Two nuclear armed countries potentially on the brink of war. Pakistan vowing to respond to India's attacks.

And choosing a new Pope. In just a few hours cardinals will be sealed off from the world as they begin the conclave to elect a leader for the Roman Catholic Church.

Plus, the key word might be never. Canada's prime minister repeats that his country will not be for sale, but the U.S. president maintains never say never.

There are growing fears that two nuclear armed rivals are moving closer to war after India launched military strikes against Pakistan.

India claims to have targeted terrorist infrastructure in several locations inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India is insisting its missile strikes were, quote, "focused and precise," and designed to be non-escalatory in nature, but Pakistan rejects that claim. Its military says eight people were killed, including women and a child, and that 35 people were injured. Pakistan also says it shot down five Indian air force jets and a drone. CNN cannot independently confirm those claims.

These new strikes come about two weeks after gunmen massacred 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India quickly accused Pakistan of supporting terrorists in the region. Pakistan has denied any responsibility. These two sides have also been exchanging shelling and gunfire across their disputed border. This is the first time since 2019 that India has struck inside Pakistani territory. The attacks in Punjab province are the deepest since the 1971 war.

Let's go live now to CNN's Kristie Lu Stout, following all the latest developments from Hong Kong.

Kristie, what is the situation now and the concerns for escalation at the moment? KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: M.J., this is a massive

escalation. India has carried out military strikes against Pakistan. This comes two weeks after that tourist massacre in Indian- administered Kashmir, a massacre that India blamed on Pakistan and Pakistan denies. The Indian military action took place earlier today on Wednesday and according to the Indian military, they said that they targeted and struck, quote, "terrorist infrastructure both deep inside Pakistan proper as well as in Pakistan-administered Kashmir."

I want you to look at this statement that we got from the Indian defense minister, the Ministry of Defense, rather, saying this, quote, "Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and methods of execution," unquote.

Now, India says nine sites were targeted. And I want to show you this social media video of the moment of impact of a strike that hit in eastern Pakistan earlier today. And as we bring up that video for you, you can see the moment of impact there. This also represents the first time India has conducted airstrikes against Pakistan since 2019. Multiple sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir were hit this morning, including a religious school.

And in this next social media video, I want to show you the aftermath of the military strike by India on a religious school in Pakistan. This taking place in eastern Pakistan near Lahore, in a school in Muridke. You can see the school is in flames. Pakistan's military says at least eight people, including women and children, have been killed in these strikes. Dozens of people have been injured. And the Pakistan military is now calling this action, quote, "a blatant act of war."

I want you to listen to this statement from Pakistan military spokesman who spoke to CNN earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GEN. AHMED SHARIF CHAUDRY, PAKISTANI MILITARY SPOKESPERSON: We strongly condemn this cowardly action of India which is, in any form, a flagrant violation of the United Nations charter, international law, and all established norms of interstate relations. The Indian leadership has once again used the bogey of terrorism to advance its sham narrative of victimhood. They have jeopardized the regional peace and security, and I must say that India's reckless action has brought the two nuclear armed states closer to a major conflict.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: Pakistan says it has shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three French made Rafale jets.

[00:05:06]

These are very sophisticated elite military assets. The Indian army has also said that Pakistan has been engaging in cross-border shelling, which has resulted in the deaths of three civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The fear and the concern right now is growing that this will escalate further and turn into all-out conflict. Both India and Pakistan lay claim to Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan have fought three wars over the territory, and both are nuclear armed rivals.

M.J., back to you.

LEE: And Kristie, just quickly, what has been the global reaction so far? Give us a sense.

STOUT: M.J., we've been monitoring the global international reaction as it's been coming in since these military strikes took place earlier today. There have been responses from the UAE, from the United Nations, as well as from the United States.

I want to share you what we heard from Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the U.N., calling for restraint. This in a post shared on the social media platform X. Let's bring it up for you. He says, it is essential, especially at this critical hour, that India and Pakistan avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control. Make no mistake, he says, a military solution is no solution.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, he has weighed in. He called the escalating tensions here in the military strike, quote, "a shame." And we've also learned that the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in the last few hours has been speaking with the National Security advisers of both India and Pakistan, asking them to keep the lines of communication open and to avoid escalation.

M.J., as you know, of course, Pakistan is a key partner of the United States, India as well. It's a member of the Quad, an alliance formed to counter China's influence in the region -- M.J.

LEE: All right. Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong, thank you for those updates.

STOUT: Thank you.

LEE: And let's bring in CNN military analyst, Colonel Cedric Leighton, to discuss all of these headlines.

I mean, these are, Colonel, very fast-moving developments. And Pakistan is claiming that it has shot down five Indian fighter jets. To say again CNN has not independently confirmed those claims. But if this were to bear out, let's start there. What would that tell you about the current situation?

COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Yes, M.J., good evening to you. There are several different aspects to this, but one of the things that is, I think clear if, if, as you said, this is true, there is some significant issue with the way the Indians planned these airstrikes against Pakistani targets. One of the factors here is, you know, what kind of electronic countermeasures were they using on the aircraft? And were those aircraft designed to deal with the type of air defense systems that the Pakistanis use?

They have a lot of Chinese systems. One of them is known as the HQ-9 that is basically a medium range capable system. And that system could potentially shoot down aircraft like the French Rafale, which possibly was -- three of which were possibly lost in this case. So that's one factor. The other thing dealing with this is that their intelligence preparation for this campaign may have been lacking. Again, if this is borne out it seems as if they didn't really project what kind of threat rings they would be dealing with. In other words, the range of the Pakistani systems where the Pakistani systems were located and how the Pakistanis would employ them.

So those are the kinds of things that might have resulted in something like this. And of course, we have to see if that is in fact the case.

LEE: And, Colonel, while we continue to get these damage assessments, based on what you do know, I mean, do you think these two countries are likely headed towards a full scale, full blown conflict?

LEIGHTON: Well, they're kind of in a fork in the road at this point, M.J., and so, yes, it is possible that they could go into a full blown conflict. I don't think it will be a nuclear conflict, unless Pakistan is threatened, is existentially threatened or feels existentially threatened. But I don't think it'll go that far.

The other part of that fork in the road would be that there is de- escalation, and that countries such as the United States and possibly China and even Iran might get involved and be able to talk both sides down from the precipice. But it is a very dangerous situation, and we should treat it as such.

LEE: And I wanted to ask you, too, about General Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief, as we consider what Pakistan may or may not do in the coming days. What should we know about him and why is he clearly a key person to be watching right now?

LEIGHTON: Yes, that's a great question. In Pakistan, it's the army that controls basically the political life of the country, and General Munir is -- follows a long line of military leaders who have basically called the shots in Pakistani politics for a very long time.

[00:10:12]

And given all of that we also have to note that General Munir is very much in the Islamic fold. And he looks at these kinds of conflicts through that lens. So he is basically here to defend Pakistan as he sees it. But he is also very much in the mold of someone who is basically looking at this as a Pakistani national issue. And he believes that he is defending the honor of his country.

Now, having said that, he is, of course, running against a very strong Indian leadership that is seeing it from the opposite side, very much in the Hindu nationalist point. And that, of course, is a recipe for potential conflict that is now apparently boiled over, at least for the moment. LEE: Yes. Boiled over at least for the moment. What do you think an

off-ramp, if there is one, looks like at the moment? What do the two sides have to do for the situation to really de-escalate?

LEIGHTON: Well, one of the things that they'll have to do is have military-to-military contacts, and those appear to have broken down in the run-up to this, and that is something that is not a strong suit for either the Pakistanis or the Indians. So that will be one way to do it. The other part of the off-ramp would be for the Pakistanis to take what the Indians say at face value and for the Indians not to escalate the fight when it comes to other targets and basically to stop at the targets that they hit right now. So those would be several ways in which we could potentially see an off-ramp for both India and Pakistan in this particular case.

LEE: Colonel Cedric Leighton, thank you so much.

LEIGHTON: You bet, M.J.

LEE: The Israeli military reports that multiple airstrikes have fully disabled the airport in Yemen's capital Sana'a. The IDF says fighter jets struck and dismantled Houthi terrorist infrastructure. Several major power stations were also hit. The Houthi-run health ministry reports at least one person was killed and three others injured in the airport attack.

On Sunday, a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis penetrated Israeli air defenses and landed near Ben Gurion International Airport. Israel's military issued a rare evacuation order for Yemen's airport before Tuesday's strike.

More now on that from CNN's Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: These are some of the most significant Israeli airstrikes that we have seen in Yemen. They are the second wave of strikes within just 24 hours coming in retaliation for that Houthi ballistic missile attack on Sunday that struck right next to Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport. The Israeli military on Tuesday striking the capital city of Sanaa's international airport, according to the Israeli military, fully disabling that airport after carrying out strikes that hit the runways, aircraft, as well as other infrastructure at that airport.

It is a civilian international airport which is quite notable here. But Israel accusing the Houthis of using this airport for their military purposes as well. It was one of just a series of strikes that we saw in and around the Yemeni capital on Tuesday, as the Israeli military also struck the power plants in the area, as well as a cement factory just north of the city. The Israelis also issued an unprecedented evacuation order for that international airport in Sana'a about an hour before those airstrikes took place, sending passengers and staff scrambling to get away from that airport before the bombs started dropping. It's not clear whether the Israelis intend to carry out further

attacks now, but right after this happened, within hours, actually, President Trump then announcing that the United States and the Houthis have effectively reached a de facto ceasefire, no indication as of yet that that will include Israel and the back and forth attacks between Israel and the Houthis. But indeed, President Trump saying that the Houthis don't want to fight, that they have capitulated in the face of several months of escalating American attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen.

President Trump saying that the United States will also stop its bombing of Houthi targets in Yemen after the Houthis agreed to stop bombing, stop targeting ships in the Red Sea. It seems like there is some kind of more formal agreement that is actually in the works here that has yet to actually be signed.

[00:15:05]

But President Trump making that announcement. The question, how will this affect the Israeli-Houthi back and forth, that much remains to be seen.

Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEE: Another horrific scene unfolding in Gaza, where hospital officials report at least 22 people are dead, including seven children. Dozens more were injured in an Israeli strike on a school compound that was sheltering thousands of displaced people. Israel says it struck terrorists operating a Hamas command and control center.

The Israeli security cabinet on Sunday approved an expanded military operation in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Palestinians in Gaza will be relocated to the southern part of the territory.

And still to come, the latest on India's military strikes on Pakistani targets as hostilities ramp up between the two countries.

The conclave to elect a new Pope is expected to start in the coming hours. Up ahead, what's at stake as cardinals gather to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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LEE: Caught on camera what appears to be one of India's strikes against Pakistan. More on that escalating violence between India and Pakistan. Schools are closed in both Pakistan's Punjab Province and in Jammu in India, after India's military launched strikes on targets in Pakistan on Wednesday. Pakistani officials say eight people were killed in the strikes. India claims it targeted, quote, "terrorist infrastructure," weeks after 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir were massacred in a terror attack. India's government has accused Pakistan of being involved in that

terror attack and had vowed to retaliate. Islamabad denied the accusations. Here's how one family member of one of the victims of the terror attack is reacting to the strikes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANJAY DWIVEDI, FATHER OF KASHMIR TERROR ATTACK VICTIM (through translator): Our family was moaning for so many days but we have felt a sense of slight relief after we came to know about the strike. This made us soothe our pain a bit and I'm sure this will bring peace to Shubham's soul.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): There was much anger among the people and everyone wanted a reply as they murdered our innocent brothers and sisters.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEE: And we are just a few hours away from the start of the conclave that will choose a new Pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

Here are some live pictures of Vatican City, where 133 cardinals will decide who will succeed Pope Francis to become the next leader of almost 1.5 billion Catholics around the world. The cardinals will be sealed off from the outside world as they wrestle with this important task inside the Sistine Chapel.

CNN's Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb has more on what's at stake and some of the possible frontrunners in this election.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An election that takes place behind closed doors. Followed more intensely than ever before, thanks to the popularity of the 2024 film "Conclave."

In real life, cardinals are in Rome preparing to be cut off from the world for the vote. Coming from 71 countries, taking part in the most unpredictable papal election in decades. One cardinal telling CNN exclusively what it's like to take part.

CARDINAL OSWALD GRACIAS, RETIRED ARCHBISHOP OF BOMBAY: I will tell you, it's a spiritual experience. It's when -- we get in over there, there's no socializing, there's no small talk. Everybody is conscious of his responsibility. And there's no chatting.

LAMB: At stake, the future direction of the Catholic Church. The days leading up to the conclave have been full of debate and fevered speculation.

The choice, continue with Francis's reforms or make a course correction. Some retired cardinals reportedly attacked Francis's desire for the church to give greater authority to women and those not in the hierarchy. American Cardinal Timothy Dolan is hoping the next Pope brings

together qualities of the last three, including John Paul II and Benedict, who were more conservative on internal reforms.

CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN, ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK: You kind of hope that maybe we could blend them all. I'm thinking obviously of Papa Francesco. I think to have Benedict XVI with his intense intellect. I'm thinking of Pope Saint John Paul II with his courage and his call to follow Jesus. If we get a beautiful combination, that'll be a blessing.

LAMB: One purported frontrunner remains Cardinal Parolin. But some say his star is fading. A cardinal told me privately, we have the saying he who enters a conclave of Pope leaves a cardinal, and that encourages me.

Outside, as it's being talked about, and like the movie, someone unexpected could emerge. Cardinal Aveline of France, who was strong on interreligious dialogue on welcoming migrants. Cardinal Grech of Malta, who's overseen a multiyear reform process started by Pope Francis. Cardinal David of the Philippines, who stood up to President Duterte and faced death threats. Cardinal Pizzaballa, an advocate for peace based in Jerusalem.

Even an American Pope is not off the cards. With talk of support growing for Chicago born Cardinal Prevost.

[00:25:02]

GRACIAS: This is unthinkable. The words here, American Pope, I don't know why, but there could be an American Pope. It's a good American who's got the qualities and can lead the church. Certainly. I think all the American cardinals are friends of mine, and I think any of them could have been -- could be the Pope. They have good qualities. And why not?

LAMB: An unpredictable conclave, which could be set up for a surprise.

Christopher Lamb, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEE: And we are following a major escalation between two nuclear armed rivals. India and Pakistan are potentially on the brink of war after India's early morning missile strikes. We'll bring you the latest developments just ahead.

Plus, a celebration of military prowess. How Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for the biggest event on his calendar, the Annual Victory Day military parade.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M.J. LEE, CNN ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: Welcome back. I'm M.J. Lee. Let's take a look at today's top stories.

[00:30:46]

Pakistan -- Pakistan says eight people were killed and dozens more wounded after India launched military strikes on Pakistan's Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Pakistan claims it shot down five Indian Air Force jets in response.

This comes more than two weeks after dozens of civilians were massacred in India-controlled Kashmir.

In a matter of hours, 133 Catholic cardinals will gather inside the Sistine Chapel to deliberate over who should become the next pope.

The conclave will send smoke to the outside world daily from a special chimney. Black indicates no decision has been made, and white means the cardinals have chosen the church's new leader.

Israel's military says it has fully disabled the international airport in Yemen's capital. The IDF says fighter jets struck and dismantled Houthi terror infrastructure, as well as several major power stations.

The Houthi-run Health Ministry reports at least one person was killed.

Kashmir has been a flashpoint since India and Pakistan gained their independence from Britain nearly 80 years ago.

CNN's Ryan Young explains how this divided region became one of the most militarized places in the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For nearly 80 years, the disputed region of Kashmir has been at the center of conflict between India and Pakistan, after the British partitioned the Indian subcontinent into the nations of India and Pakistan.

Several princely states and kingdoms remained independent, including Kashmir. Ultimately, the Hindu ruler of the Muslim-majority region decided to join India, sparking the first war between India and Pakistan, which killed thousands before an uneasy stalemate was established.

Another war over Kashmir sparked up in 1965. And the two powers went to war again in 1971, which led to the breakup of Pakistan and independent Bangladesh on India's Eastern flank.

Following the last war, the two sides officially established the line of control, the border separating the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir from the Pakistani-controlled side.

India and Pakistan claim the entire region. India controls around 45 percent; Pakistan about 35 percent; and China controls the rest.

Decades ago, both sides agreed to a referendum to allow the people of Kashmir to decide which country to join. But the vote has never been held. While outright war has been avoided for decades, the region has seen

numerous border clashes. And in 1989, Kashmiri militants began an insurgency against India that has lasted to this day. India has accused Pakistan of training and arming the militants, a claim Pakistan has repeatedly denied.

The resulting conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians.

Tensions again escalated between India and Pakistan following militant attacks in 2016 and 2019. Both times, the nuclear powers were able to de-escalate the conflict before all-out war broke out.

Ryan Young, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEE: There's one day left to go until Russia's unilateral three-day ceasefire is set to begin in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the truce to coincide with his country's Victory Day celebrations on Friday. But amid the preparations, Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow for a second straight night on Tuesday.

CNN's Fred Pleitgen has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): A waltz for victory. Hundreds of young people in Moscow putting on a massive performance, dancing in Soviet military uniforms. Honoring veterans of World War II who defeated Nazi Germany while also showing support for Russian soldiers fighting now in what the Kremlin calls its special military operation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We won in the big war, and we can win in another war, of course.

PLEITGEN (voice-over): "I think we should support our fighters who are currently taking part in the special operation in any case," he says. "It's very important to support them. They are feeling the support."

And the Russians claim their troops are bringing the heat on nearly all front lines, making continuous gains in Eastern Ukraine in the past weeks, they say, while all but eliminating Kyiv's remaining forces still scattered in the Western Russian Kursk area.

"They had no chance," the soldier says, as they tour a recaptured town.

With U.S. President Donald Trump's initiative for a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia seemingly stuck in a rut, even Russian state TV marveling at the chaos inside the Trump administration, speculating who the next national security advisor might be.

"He named Stephen Miller as his favorite," the host says. "According to Trump, the official already indirectly occupies this

position. In the meantime, State Secretary Rubio is officially dealing with the tasks of the adviser. Such a consolidation of powers has not been seen since Henry Kissinger in the '70s."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

PLEITGEN (voice-over): But painting a very different picture of Vladimir Putin's leadership after the Russian president showed his private Kremlin quarters to a Russian state TV reporter for the first time, serving the typical Russian fermented buttermilk drink kefir.

"Is it a Russian product?" the interviewer asks.

"Of course," Putin answers.

The Kremlin saying it all shows how rock-solid and stable Putin's approval is.

"It's not kefir that's causing the stir," the Kremlin spokesman says. "It's probably the consolidation of the whole society. It's a manifestation of the consolidation around the president. It's the popularity of the president of our country and how attentively people treat the head of their state."

And one thing Putin is projecting is power. Putting on a show of force about Russia's past, while vowing not to be denied victory in the present.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEE: Canada's prime minister paid a visit to the White House, and during that visit, Mark Carney delivered a clear message to President Trump: Some places are never for sale. That's next on CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:42:19]

LEE: Back to our top story: the aftermath of Indian airstrikes on Pakistan.

Pakistan has closed airspace around Karachi, its largest city, and Lahore in the Punjab province. FlightRadar24.com shows commercial airlines avoiding Pakistani airspace, and Air India says it has canceled all flights to several cities in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The travel chaos follows a night of blasts, with India targeting what it calls terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.

The U.S. State Department says it is closely monitoring developments after the Indian strikes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had urged top officials from both countries to de-escalate last week.

On Tuesday, the U.S. president addressed the situation from the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Now, it's a shame. We just heard about it just as we -- we were walking in the doors of the Oval. I just heard about it.

I guess people knew something was going to happen, based on a little bit of the past. They've been fighting for a long time. You know, they've been fighting for many, many decades and centuries, actually, if you really think about it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

TRUMP: No, I just hope it ends very quickly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEE: And a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney didn't settle the ongoing tariff dispute, but the Canadian leader did deliver a clear message on his country's sovereignty.

CNN's Paula Newton reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: To be clear, both Canadian officials and the White House really lowered expectations going into this meeting.

But in terms of tone, likely it could not have gone better.

Even though Donald Trump continued to talk about making Canada the 51st state, the prime minister certainly stood up for Canada and made not just his opinion clear, but that of his voters. Listen.

MARK CARNEY, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: If I may, as you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale.

TRUMP: That's true.

CARNEY: We're sitting in one right now. You know, Buckingham Palace that you visited, as well.

TRUMP: That's true.

CARNEY: And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it's not for sale. Won't be for sale, ever.

NEWTON: So, to be clear, it was important for Prime Minister Carney to get in there and make that point in the Oval Office. Certainly, it will not keep Donald Trump from continually saying it. Mark Carney concedes that himself.

But the rest of the conversation was quite substantive, if not sobering.

Neither side really indicated that the tariffs would be lifted on Canada anytime soon, that negotiations going forward would be tough, and that Canada continues to try and take a tough stand, pointing out that, look, it was the president who ripped up a trade agreement that he himself negotiated.

[00:45:09]

There is a G-7 coming up in Canada in just a few weeks. These two men, certainly with other world leaders, will continue to work towards that date to see if the economic relationships can be maintained with the United States and with all of those allies.

Again, Mark Carney, a lot of work to do coming up as he prepares for the G-7.

Paula Newton, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEE: U.S. and Chinese officials plan to meet this week in Switzerland to discuss trade and other economic issues. But both sides are already downplaying expectations.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and trade representative Jamieson Greer will travel to Geneva for those talks.

Bessent says he believes the meeting will be more about de-escalation than making a deal.

And a spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry says Beijing will not compromise its principles for the sake of reaching a deal.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing have been high since President Trump imposed a 145 percent tariff on some Chinese goods, and China hit back with a 125 percent tariff on certain U.S. imports.

Germany's new chancellor will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in the coming hours.

Friedrich Merz was officially sworn in on Tuesday after winning in the second vote in Parliament. The leader of the Christian Democratic Union Party failed to secure a majority in the first ballot. That's never happened to a German chancellor in modern history.

The CDU won February's national elections, but had to form a coalition with the center-left Social Democrats. That government is now facing strong opposition from the far-right AFD Party.

Just over two weeks after the death of Pope Francis, cardinals are hours away from starting the process to choose the church's new leader. We'll have a preview of the conclave coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:51:39]

LEE: Pakistan says it has shot down five Indian Air Force jets and a drone during India's strikes, claiming it was self-defense.

Pictures taken of parts of an aircraft that crashed in Indian- administered Kashmir showed the label of a French manufacturer, lending support to Pakistan's claims that it had shot down five of India's top-of-the-line Rafale fighter jets.

CNN cannot independently verify those claims.

Indian officials have not yet confirmed whether any planes were lost. Pakistan says eight people were killed and 35 people wounded earlier.

In about three hours, 133 Catholic cardinals will gather in St. Peter's Basilica for a mass in honor of Pope Francis. From there, they will head into the Sistine Chapel for the start of the conclave that is going to elect the next leader of the church.

Rafael Romo looks at the preparations and the men who will make this choice.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): While the stove where the ballots will be burned was assembled inside, on the rooftop of the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican fire brigade installed the chimney that will announce to the world the new pope has been chosen when white smoke billows out of it.

Cardinals have been meeting daily to discuss church matters and the conclave.

SUSAN REYNOLDS, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF CATHOLIC STUDIES, EMORY UNIVERSITY: The conclave will begin on May 7 with one vote. After that, the cardinals will take four votes a day: two in the morning and two in the evening, Rome time, of course.

ROMO (voice-over): But who are these men who will choose a new pope?

The cardinal electors come from 71 countries across five continents. The Vatican says that, during his 12 years of pontificate, Pope Francis significantly reshaped the College of cardinals, making it a less Eurocentric and a more international body.

And for the first time in the church's history, 15 new nations will be represented by their native electors, including Tonga, a Polynesian kingdom in Oceania; South Sudan, a war-torn and landlocked nation in East Africa, and Paraguay, the neighbor of Pope Francis's native Argentina in South America.

REYNOLDS: We don't want someone too young, right? Think of the papacy of John Paul II. He was in -- in that office for -- for 27 years. There was a consensus that maybe that was a little too long to have one person at the helm. ROMO (voice-over): The youngest elector, Cardinal Mykola Bychok, who

serves in Melbourne, Australia but was born in Ukraine, is only 45 years old, while 79-year-old Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra, the retired archbishop of Madrid and a Spaniard, is the oldest.

LAURA JOHNSTON, CAYMAN ISLANDS CATHOLIC: I don't think there's any room for politics here. I think we need somebody that follows in his footsteps with the same type of belief system, to make the Catholic Church all-inclusive and not turn people away.

ROMO (voice-over): While it will be a less European conclave, 53 cardinal electors, the majority, come from Europe, with Italy still having the largest number, with 19, followed by France with six and Spain with five.

Sixteen cardinals hail from North America, four from Central America, and 17 from South America, while 23 travel from Asia, 18 from Africa and four from Oceania.

[00:55:07]

The teachings of Pope Francis loom large as a top cardinal reminded the faithful on Saturday about how much the late pontiff cared for the less fortunate.

"Especially the poorest, the last, the discarded. Because in them is the Lord," Cardinal Fernandez said.

ROMO: It remains to be seen whether the cardinal electors stick with a reformer, like Francis, or someone who charts a more conservative path for the Roman Catholic Church.

Rafael Romo, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEE: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla unveiled their official coronation portraits at the National Gallery in London on Tuesday.

The event marked two years since the king's coronation. The royal couple posed for photos with their respective artists. Paul Benney, who painted Camilla's portrait, says his experience with the queen did not disappoint.

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PAUL BENNEY, ARTIST: We had a lot of talk and chat and stories which we could tell each other and actually, at times, when I would leave and I would -- I'm not kidding -- I would actually be holding my tummy from laughing so much. So, the queen's very witty.

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LEE: Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm M.J. Lee, and I'll be right back with more news.

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