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Leo XIV, The First American Pope, Takes Helm Of Catholic Church; U.S. And China To Hold Trade Talks In Geneva Tomorrow; Pakistan Says, India Launched Another Drone Attack On Pakistan Today. Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired May 09, 2025 - 10:00   ET

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

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PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV, takes the helm of the Catholic Church and celebrates his first mass as pontiff, as he encourages the world's 1.4 billion Catholics to go beyond a superficial faith.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Trade war thaw? President Trump is now floating an 80 percent tariff on China, but says he'll leave the negotiations up to his treasury secretary. U.S. and Chinese officials are set to be tomorrow in Switzerland, as both nations signal that the status quo is unsustainable.

Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer with Pamela Brown, and you're in The Situation Room.

Happening now, the world is getting to know the first American pope as he takes the helm of the Catholic Church. This morning, Leo XIV celebrated his first mass since being chosen as pontiff, starting off with another first, addressing the Cardinals at the start of his homily in English.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO XIV: Through the ministry of Peter, you have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission, and I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: As Pope, he will face a host of hot button issues including immigration. His older brother says the pontiff of thinks the U.S. is going about it all wrong.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN PREVOST, BROTHER OF POPE XIV: I think he sees the United States as headed in the wrong direction in terms of immigration, that this is a total injustice to -- these are people. It doesn't matter where they're born. They are people first, and so they need to be treated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Our Ben Wedeman has been in St. Peter's Square this week and he's joining us now live. Ben, how was the new pope's message received?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Certainly so far what we're hearing, Wolf, is that it has been received fairly well. Keeping in mind that when he was -- his name was announced, a lot of people were shocked. He was not considered one of the most papabile (ph), the most popable of candidates, given that, traditionally, the, the thought was it's better to keep an American out of that position simply because the United States has too much power already.

But what we saw yesterday in St. Peter's Square was he addressed the crowd in very fluent Italian, switched to very fluent Spanish. We heard him this morning in the Sistine Chapel speaking Latin very well, although I confess I'm not a very good judge of that. So, by and large, even, for instance, in the Italian press, the reaction was generally positive.

Now, we did have an opportunity to speak with some people in the square today, including a group of American tourists. One of them told us that she hopes that this new American pope will have a positive impact on the reputation of the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A proud moment, you know? I think it's great. Hopefully, the rest of the world will -- I think our reputation is, you know, hit and miss with a lot of the world, and maybe this will bring people to like America more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WEDEMAN: And, however, I did speak to an Italian couple who seemed a bit frustrated that the new pope is not Italian, keeping in mind that the last Italian Pope was Pope John Paul I, who passed away after only 33 days as pope back in 1978. But even the Italian media is taking a positive spin, saying that like Francis before him, Pope Leo XIV does have some Italian blood in him. So, everybody is trying to look at this in a very positive light. Wolf?

BLITZER: All right. Ben Wedeman in Rome for us, Ben, thank you very much. Pamela?

BROWN: That counts for something, right?

BLITZER: Yes, it does.

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BROWN: All right. Right now, top members of the Trump administration are preparing for key trade talks with China. The world's top two economies will meet, leaders from those top two economies will meet leaders from those top two economies will meet in Switzerland tomorrow in their first talks since President Trump's sweeping tariffs ignited a trade war. The administration says deals are now being worked out with other countries.

But hammering out an agreement with China could be much tougher. This morning, President Trump took to social media and floated a much lower tariff rate, quote, 80 percent tariff on China seems right, up to Scott B., referring to his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. So, it's much lower, but it's still a high rate in the scheme of things.

So, let's go live now to see CNN White House Reporter Alayna Treene. Alayna, the president seems to be setting the tone here for these upcoming talks.

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: That's exactly right. He also posted this morning, Pamela, that China should open up its market to the United States. He said it would be so good for them.

Look, I'm interested to see whether or not this is actually something that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, actually want him to be doing. Because in all of my conversations leading up to this weekend, the thing I've kept hearing over and over again is that they're trying to keep expectations low for these talks with China.

As you mentioned, they're in extremely consequential one because, of course, China is the one that we have the greatest tariffs on, 145 percent. And so far, the two sides have not been talking. There have been no substantial discussions with China on how to deescalate the trade war. And so this is going to be a very big weekend for them. And in my conversations, officials are trying to frame it as a good first step.

But, clearly, the president is coming out and saying he thinks, you know, we could hopefully get these tariffs lowered from 145 percent to 80 percent drastically different percentage for these tariffs, which would be, of course, a very big deal.

Now, I asked -- me and other reporters asked this morning the national -- or the director of the National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, about this. He essentially said any details on what happens behind closed doors between the United States officials and their Chinese counterparts in Geneva, we'll learn about after the fact. So, he said, we should not expect any kind of chair change with China before they actually meet tomorrow and Sunday.

But one other thing that Hassett brought up, which was really interesting is, I was asking him, you know, the president yesterday floated that there are three other trade deals in the works that they are hoping they will announce soon. I asked him if those will be in the Indo-Pacific region. Take a listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEVIN HASSETT, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL: That would be my expectation for the next one, yes. But, yes, there are so many deals that are close and somewhere easier than others. I think the deal with India was especially complex, but it looks like it's getting close to the finish line. (END VIDEO CLIP)

TREENE: So, essentially there, Pamela, he's saying that he does believe that it will be one of those three countries, either India, South Korea, or Japan that could be next to strike a trade deal with the United States.

I also asked him if he believes that the conflict right now between India and Pakistan is at all affecting the timetable for a potential deal with India. He said, as far as he knows, you know, that hasn't been up for discussion.

So, we're learning more, of course, and we'll be closely monitoring what happens this weekend in Switzerland.

BROWN: All right. Alayna Treene, thanks so much. Wolf?

BLITZER: Pamela, this morning we have a new measure of how President Trump's tariffs have impacted the flow of Chinese goods coming into the United States. New figures show the volume plummeted last month, plummeted big time.

CNN Business and Politics Correspondent Vanessa Yurkevich is taking a closer look at all of this for us. And, Vanessa, what are you learning?

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: A significant drop in shipments from China into the U.S. in April of this year. Just compared to last year, that's a 21 percent drop. So, $33 billion in shipments this April, look at that compared to last April when it was closer to $42 billion. And that is just because U.S. retailers and businesses cannot afford that high tariff of 145 percent to bring cargo from China into the United States. Those numbers very much line up with what we've been hearing from U.S. ports that a reporting declines in cargo at the port of Long Beach by 20 percent, at the Port of L.A. by 35 percent.

Worth noting, though, that, as Alayna pointed out there, talks are happening this weekend, maybe around a drop from 145 percent to 80 percent. Most economists believe that -- but the possibly 50 percent is sustainable for some businesses, but small businesses, I've been talking to, Wolf, say that really 20, 25 percent is all that they can handle in order to restart bringing in cargo from China.

And remember, Wolf, it's not like flipping a switch. If we want to restart bringing in more cargo from China, again, it takes about a month for that to happen. So, these numbers that we've been seeing could continue for some time unless we get to more appropriate trade levels. Wolf?

BLITZER: We'll see what happens. Vanessa Yurkevich, thank you very much.

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Pamela? BROWN: All right, Wolf. New this morning, a Pakistani government source is telling CNN that India launched another drone attack on Pakistan early this morning. India and Pakistan have repeatedly accused each other of launching attacks since the conflict escalated two days ago.

So, let's go live now to Journalist Vedika Sud in New Delhi. What's the latest?

VEDIKA SUD, JOURNALIST: Pamela, in the last 24 hours, India has made two very serious allegations against Pakistan. The first is that Pakistan has been using commercial flights as a shield. Listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WING COMMANDER VYOMIKA SINGH, INDIAN AIR FORCE: Pakistan did not close its civil airspace, despite it launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on 7th May at 8:30 hours in the evening. Pakistan is using civil airliners as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defense response.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SUD: India also saying that it repelled multiple attacks overnight local time by Pakistani drones as well as munitions in the northwestern part and the northern part of India, where it has its military establishments. Pakistan has denied any involvement in this.

Also, very quickly, I want to show you some of the shots at the border along the line of control that partitions Indian and Pakistan. On the Indian side, there's been heavy cross border shelling because of which there's been massive damage. According to the Indian government, 16 people have lost their lives, including women and children, and many have been injured.

Very quickly, the Indian Premier League as well has been impacted. It's been suspended for a week. This is the richest cricketing tournament in the world that has been suspended for a week due to security concerns. And also there's a high security alert at all airports across India. Back to you.

BROWN: All right. Vedika Sud, thank you so much. Wolf?

BLITZER: And we've got to breaking news from the into The Situation Room right now, the final steps to pick a jury for the sex trafficking trial of Sean Diddy Combs is delayed until Monday.

Let's go live to CNN Correspondent Kara Scannell. She's just outside the court in New York. So, what happened, Kara? What's the latest?

KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the judge has delayed jury selections, the final selection of the 12 jurors and 6 alternates now until Monday. That is because when we came into court this morning, they had their pool of 43, but quickly it went down from 45, it quickly went down to 43. Two jurors were excused before they even got to the strikes, one,

because she asked that she be excused of her emotional wellbeing, another juror, because he failed to disclose a lawsuit he had against the city. So, the judge said he was concerned that they might lose additional jurors over the weekend and then run into a potential issue on Monday if another juror dropped out and they would cut into their alternate.

So, the prosecution opposed it. Prosecutor Maurene Comey said that she was concerned it would cause an avalanche effect, if one juror raised their hand on Monday, you could see other jurors saying that they were not able to sit for this eight-week trial.

But the judge over the government's objection said that is how he wanted to do it. So, now jury selection will be completed on Monday morning, then they will go straight into opening statements once a jury is sworn in. And then the presentation of the case from the government, but yet another delay in this process, hoping to get off the ground first thing Monday morning. Wof?

BLITZER: All right. Kara Scannell reporting for us, Kara, thank you very much. Pamela?

BROWN: And still ahead right here in The Situation Room, a show of solidarity in Moscow's Red Square. World leaders gather for Russia's victory parade. The message Putin is sending to the west.

BLITZER: And next, the new CNN reporting as a senior Russian lawmaker who is cold water on President Trump's ceasefire demand.

Stay with us. You're in The Situation Room.

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BLITZER: New this morning, Vladimir Putin is celebrating Victory Day in Russia, surrounded by friends and allies, sending a very clear message to the west that Moscow is far from isolated.

BROWN: Thousands of troops from 13 nations filled Red Square, and a huge military parade, as you see right here. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany and World War II. And at President Putin's side during this big event, his guest of honor, China's Xi Jinping.

So, let's go live now to Moscow and CNN Senior International Correspondent, Fred Pleitgen. And, Fred, you have some new reporting about the ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Tell us about that.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we certainly do. First of all, I was down at that event today, Pamela and Wolf, and it certainly was a massive event that the Russians are saying is the most grand parade they've ever put on. It really was remarkable how close Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping were to one another, and both of them, of course, wearing that Russian patriotic ribbon, as were many of the other world leaders. But I also spoke to a senior Russian senator about President Trump's new initiative and called for that 30-day ceasefire. And he said that he's not that impressed, and, second of all, that the Russians were the ones who were calling the shots. Here's what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PLEITGEN: Do you believe that President Trump can still broker a peace deal?

KONSTANTIN KOSACHEV, RUSSIAN SENATOR: He's most welcome. He's most welcome to do what he can do. But, of course, we have our basic interest in this crisis, and we will not give up this interest just for the reason somebody in Washington or elsewhere thinks this or that about the crisis.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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PLEITGEN: So, some pretty key words there from that Russian Senator, Wolf and Pamela. The Russians, of course, have been saying they want what they call their basic security needs to be addressed before they are going to be willing to sign on to any sort of ceasefire. Guys?

BROWN: All right. So, the negotiations continue on that front.

Fred Pleitgen, thank you. Wolf?

BLITZER: I want to get some more on today's dramatic developments. Joining us now as Ambassador John Negroponte, he served as the director of National Intelligence under President George W. Bush. Ambassador Negroponte, thanks so much for joining us.

How concerning are these deepening ties apparently developing now between Russia and China?

JOHN NEGROPONTE, VICE CHAIRMAN, MCLARTY ASSOCIATES: Well, at this point, it's no surprise, right? I mean, concerning yes. But I would expect them to continue and, this is evidence precisely that they're deepening cooperation on international security matters. And I think we can expect that to continue.

BLITZER: It was a very dramatic today what's going on in Moscow with all of these nations coming together with Russia to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Soviet Union's involvement in defeating Nazi Germany.

In past years, U.S., the U.S. has participated as well, right?

NEGROPONTE: Yes, I'm not sure we ever sent any units.

BLITZER: Oh, units, but were there, representative.

NEGROPONTE: No. yes, we were represented, I'm sure.

BLITZER: So, should the U.S. have been more visibly represented now?

NEGROPONTE: I think that was -- it's a Russian party. They're the ones who issue the invitation list, and it would've been surprising, I think, under the current circumstances.

BLITZER: It would've been dramatic if that had happened.

But Ukraine meanwhile, as you know, is accusing Russians of repeatedly violating Vladimir Putin's three-day proposed ceasefire. Do you see any hope for a real long-term ceasefire anytime soon? Do you think the parties will get there?

NEGROPONTE: I have my doubts mainly because I think a ceasefire under present conditions leaves Ukraine at considerable political disadvantage. And I think the Russians will then say, well, what we have now is what belongs to us and will stay that way. And I don't think that's acceptable to the Ukrainian government or the Ukrainian people.

BLITZER: I'm going to turn quickly while I have you to the conflict between India and Pakistan that seems to be escalating right now. Do you believe this exchange of attacks is on the verge of actually escalating into all-out war between these two nuclear-powered countries?

NEGROPONTE: Well, in the past situations, they've always come to a point where they ultimately exercised restraint and we're able to keep the situation in the box. But it is a powder keg. It's been a powder keg almost from the inception of independence of both of those countries back in 1947. And, of course, they both have nuclear weapons outside the non-proliferation treaty regime, and it's a real danger.

And there's very little diplomatic activity going on as far as I can see. There may be some backdoor stuff happening, but nothing active in the United Nations or elsewhere.

BLITZER: How should the U.S. respond to what's going on? Is there anything the U.S. can do to help deescalate?

NEGROPONTE: Well, I think we could find some kind of a role as a mediator in this situation. The president did say he was available if needed. I think we shouldn't be shy about asserting a leadership role in international affairs, and this kind of situation is perfectly suited to American diplomatic involvement.

BLITZER: I also want to get your thoughts ambassador on the ceasefire, proposed ceasefire that the Trump administration, just as has been negotiating with Houthi rebels in Yemen. Is now the right time to pause us Strikes on the Houthis in Yemen, as long as they honor their commitment to stop targeting American interests, ships, for example, in the region?

NEGROPONTE: Well, I, I don't think that the ceasefire is going to involve Israel, if I understand correctly. So, this is a kind of a side deal between us and the Houthis. We'll have to see how it plays out. BLITZER: So, you know, the Israelis say that they intercepted a missile coming from the Houthis in Yemen. Just today, sirens were going off in the Tel Aviv area once again, but the air defense system intercepted that incoming missile.

NEGROPONTE: So, no matter what we do, I think the Israelis will continue to engage militarily against the Houthis.

BLITZER: And do you think that's going to escalate and that potentially involve Iran, which supports the Houthis?

NEGROPONTE: Well, we haven't seen that happen up until now. And Israel has had considerable success in beating back the other proxies of Iran in the region. We'll have to see. But it's always a possibility that Iran will ultimately decide -- I mean, Israel will ultimately decide to go after Iran's nuclear facility.

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BLITZER: If the Houthis continue to launch rockets and missiles aimed at Ben Gurion Airport or elsewhere in Israel, should the United States simply stay on the sidelines and not get involved and help protect an ally like Israel?

NEGROPONTE: Well, we'll have to wait and see how the situation develops.

BLITZER: So, what should the U.S. do in case that happens?

NEGROPONTE: Well, as I said, I think there's a possibility that Israel will strike at Iran's nuclear facilities if this keeps going on or escalates further. And I wouldn't -- that wouldn't surprise me entirely.

BLITZER: That would explode the situation and lead to all-out war.

NEGROPONTE: Well, yes, but they might also be successful in taking out a number of these Iranian facilities.

BLITZER: They really couldn't completely do that without U.S. assistance?

NEGROPONTE: I'm not sure of that.

BLITZER: That's what the experts are suggesting.

NEGROPONTE: Yes, it could be.

BLITZER: Because so much of that Iranian nuclear capability is deep underground in these mountains.

NEGROPONTE: Well, I think Iran runs at risk if the Houthis keep escalating the situation.

BLITZER: But the Iranians will be blamed for that?

NEGROPONTE: Correct.

BLITZER: Yes. So, this is a dangerous, a very dangerous situation that's developing right now in the Middle East.

NEGROPONTE: Well, but compared to what? I mean, the last couple of years have been pretty bad, right, in multiple countries, not just Yemen or Israel, but throughout the region.

BLITZER: Yes, it could explode really bad.

All right, thank you very much, Ambassador Negroponte. I appreciate it very much.

NEGROPONTE: Nice to see you.

BLITZER: Pamela?

BROWN: All right, Wolf. Coming up, President Trump suggests he's open to taxing the rich, but cautions against the risk of doing so for the GOP. And I spoke to a source this morning who confirmed a phone call the president had with Speaker Johnson earlier this week about taxing the rich. We're going to speak with Republican Congressman Carlos Gimenez about that next,

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