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The Brief with Jim Sciutto

Preparations Underway For Pope Francis' Funeral; Cardinals To Elect Pope Francis' Successor; Funeral To Be Held Saturday In St. Peter's Square; IMF Growth Warning; U.S. Stocks Bounces Back; Hegseth's Signal Chat Controversy; Gaza Mourns Pope Francis; IMF And World Bank Hold Spring Meetings In D.C.; Big Hopes For Argentina's Big Cats. Aired 6-7p ET

Aired April 22, 2025 - 18:00   ET

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

[18:00:00]

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Jim Sciutto in Washington, and you are watching

"The Brief."

Just to ahead this hour, preparations underway for the funeral of Pope Francis as mourners from all over the world are already paying tribute. The

IMF says the U.S. will be hit particularly hard by Trump's tariffs and their negative effect on global economic growth. We're going to speak to

the Spanish economy minister coming up. And on Earth Day, CNN visits the conservationists working to revive the jaguar population in Argentina.

We do begin in Vatican City where preparations are coming together now ahead of Saturday's funeral for Pope Francis. Cardinals from around the

world are converging on the Vatican to soon choose the next leader of the Catholic church. The process to elect a new pope known as the Conclave is

expected to begin next month.

Thousands of mourners are expected to fill St. Peter's Square on Saturday. Also attending world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, the

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Right now, the pope's body is in an open coffin in the chapel of Casa Santa Maria. In the next few hours, the casket will be moved to St. Peter's

Basilica, where he will lie in state. In St. Peter's square more tributes were paid to the late pontiff.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were able to meet pope. And while shaking hands, you know, when I touch Pope Francis, my whole body, there was kind of a

vibration. You know, I really felt it, that -- the power of the Holy Spirit in Pope Francis.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We respect him as a religious person. And personally, I love him. He is taught -- he's a vision because he always talk about the

peace. He always talk about the -- like the peaceful country, not only for -- in one faith, talk about the whole humanity. And his voice is really

good. And we love him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward joins me now from St. Peter's Square. And, Clarissa, of course, you have the funeral to

arrange and then you have that process, the Conclave, to follow. Tell us about how things are going to proceed in the coming days and weeks.

CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the first thing, Jim, to note is that while there are just, well, a few dozen people

behind me in the Square right now, there is a line already forming and they expect thousands and thousands of people to begin filing in tomorrow as the

pope will be lying in state in the Basilica behind me. He will be lying in state for three days. Then on Saturday, the funeral will take place in the

Square itself.

After the Eucharist, the casket will be moved inside the basilica for the remainder of the funeral service. And from there, the casket will be taken

to Maria Santa Maggiore, the church where the pope has elected to be his final resting place. He will be buried in a very simple tomb, as we've been

discussing, with just a single stone, a single word Franciscus, that's obviously Francis in Latin. Again, really a nod, I think, to this idea of

the pope is cultivating an image of sincerity, humility, and simplicity.

Nonetheless, Jim, this will be an extravagant event. There will be world leaders from all over, many of whom you have just named, there will be

religious leaders. So -- and there will also be thousands and thousands of mourners who will be clamoring just to get a glimpse of this moment in

history.

From then, the process of the Conclave, which could begin as early as next week, even potentially will be underway. This is a sacred ritual that has

been millennia in the making. There is obviously a lot of secrecy around it. The whole thing shrouded in mystery. And the question you hear time and

time again when you talk to people in the Square and around is, will, whoever this new pope is, be following the same sort of path as Pope

Francis was sort of navigating or charting out?

[18:05:00]

The answer to that may lie in the fact that Pope Francis himself appointed four-fifths of the Cardinals who will be eligible to vote in this Conclave.

So, certainly, this is going to look like a very different Conclave. People inside the Vatican have described it as a generational shift, and I would

just say more broadly, an air of real anticipation here as people wait for the events of the next few days and weeks to unfold, Jim.

SCIUTTO: And with a real question, as you say, about the future of the church, a church divided, to some degree, between the conservative and

progressive wing. Clarissa Ward there in Vatican City.

So much to witness in the coming days, held behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel, the Conclave is a combination of ancient tradition,

religious ritual and old-fashioned politics. Only cardinals under the age of 80 have a say, and out of 135 Cardinals who are eligible to vote

Francis, as Clarissa was noting there, installed 108 of them. They will likely take between two and three weeks to complete that decision making

process, ending in a vote. As CNN's Ben Wedeman explains, those who enter the Conclave as favorites often are not the ones elected.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One of the top candidates to succeed Francis is the man who served as his second

in command. The current Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

From visiting war-torn Ukraine to brokering a deal that saw the Holy Sea meant ties with China. The 70-year-old Italian is seen as a skilled

diplomat and a conciliatory figure who could appeal to both conservatives and progressives. His election, however, could lead to clashes with the

Trump administration as he has rebuked the U.S. president's Gaza Plan.

Another top contender is Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A strong defender of democracy and human

rights. Ambongo has been cardinal since 2019.

CARDINAL FRIDOLIN AMBONGO BESUNGU, ARCHBISHOP OF KINSHASA (through translator): I am happy. I'm aware of the responsibility this appointment

brings.

WEDEMAN (voice-over): That responsibility has seen him stand up to warlords and corrupt leaders, becoming a respected moral voice. The 65-year-old is

also the leader of a massive local church of more than 7 million people and represents the growing church in Africa.

A surprise candidate may be Cardinal Robert Prevost from the United States. America's global influence has made electors shy away from choosing a U.S.

pope in the past, but the 69-year-old from Chicago spent many years working in Peru before leading the powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments,

and he shouldn't be ruled out.

The top contender though may hail from one of the corners of the globe where the church has been growing and few cardinals are as charismatic as

Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, often dubbed the Asian Francis.

CARDINAL LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE, FORMER ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA: We believe that Jesus is alive and he was born in the minister, he died and rose from the

dead in Asia.

WEDEMAN (voice-over): The 67-year-old led the church's charitable arm as well as the Vatican Department of Evangelization, and he may be well

positioned as the church pivots towards parts of the world where it's expanding.

Still, it's impossible to say which if any of these candidates will be chosen. If there's anything we can glean from past Conclaves, it's that

usually the favorites don't get picked.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SCIUTTO: The International Monetary Fund warns that trade tensions are likely to slow economic growth dramatically this year. It now expects the

global economy to grow just 2.8 percent. That's down from 3.3 percent last year. U.S. growth will slow even more to 1.8 percent according to the

fund's latest projections.

The IMF's chief economist says, quote, "We are entering a new era as the global economic system that has operated for the last 80 years is being

reset." The White House's President Trump and his trade team are currently reviewing some 20 trade proposals.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We now have 18 proposals on paper that have been brought to the trade team. Again, these are proposals

on paper that countries have proposed to the Trump administration and to our government. You have Secretary Bessent, Secretary Lutnick, Ambassador

Greer, NEC Director Hassett and Peter Navarro, the entire trade team meeting with 34 countries this week alone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[18:10:00]

SCIUTTO: So, let's just tell CNN that the U.S. treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said at a private event that China tensions will de-escalate soon.

He said the standoff between the U.S. and China has become, quote, "unsustainable." Bessent's helped U.S. stocks gain back all of their sharp

losses from Monday's session. All the major averages rose, as you can see there, more than 2.5 percent.

And President Trump, just a few minutes ago, spoke about trade issues with the European Union and China.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We've spoken to many, many countries and we're getting their views on things. You know, there are a lot of things.

They have VAT taxes, they have everything you can have. Don't forget, as an example, the European Union was set up to take advantage of the United

States. That's why it was set. And they've done that, but they're not doing that anymore.

145 percent is very high, and it won't be that high. It's not going to be that high. It got up to there. We were talking about fentanyl, where, you

know, various elements built it up to 145. No, it won't be anywhere near that high.

It'll come down substantially, but it won't be zero. It used to be zero. We were just destroyed. China was taking us for a ride and just not going to -

- it's not going to happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: Joining me now is Spain's minister of economy, trade and business, Carlos Cuerpo. Thanks so much for joining.

CARLOS CUERPO, SPANISH MINISTER OF ECONOMY, TRADE AND BUSINESS: My pleasure.

SCIUTTO: First, I want to ask you to respond to it, it's not the first time President Trump has said that, that the E.U. was formed, quote/unquote, "to

take advantage of the U.S." What's your response to that?

CUERPO: Well, I think the -- it's pretty clear by now, everyone knows that the E.U. formed to avoid any further wars or conflict within European soil.

And actually, this integration process, which is an economic and also political integration process, has been to the benefit of European

countries, but also to the U.S.

When you look at our economic transatlantic relationship, it's the greatest in the world. On a daily basis, you have 4.5 billion euros, which are

actually crossing the Atlantic in terms of trading goods and services. That's the treasure that we have to protect.

SCIUTTO: You had a meeting with the treasury secretary, Bessent, recently. You claim the talks were constructive. Bessent sent a clear message, the

U.S. wants to reach an agreement. When you hear from the White House podium there that countries, including Europe, want to negotiate. There are trade

deals on the table, they seem to be saying these negotiations are going to move quickly. Is that accurate?

CUERPO: Well, we have a 90-day window to actually make progress on those negotiations. They have just started and I think there is willingness from

both sides to reach an agreement that can be fair and balanced, and that's where we should put all our efforts.

SCIUTTO: What is fair and balance from your point of view? Is it a lowering of trade barriers on both sides?

CUERPO: Well, that should be actually the way forward. What we want is more integration between both sides of the Atlantic, because as I said, it would

be for the benefit of everyone. We've seen from the IMF what the cost of actually increasing tariffs or increasing protectionism can be,

particularly for the countries that will impose those tariffs. So, we want actually more integration. We want more economic benefit from our

relationship with the U.S. It's an economic trade, financial, historical relationship that we need to nurture.

SCIUTTO: Now, you speak to the leaders of some countries, for instance, Canada, and they will say quite publicly that regardless of the outcome of

negotiations, that the trade relationship, and frankly more broadly, the -- just the national security relationship as well with the U.S. is changed

fundamentally, that there's no negotiating out in effect of the damage done. And I wonder from Spain's perspective, from the E.U.'s perspective,

do you agree with that?

CUERPO: Well, to some extent and following up on what Kristalina Georgieva just said, we are entering into a new world order. And what the E.U. wants

is to have a say in this new order and to actually have a position, a seat at the table so that we can actually have our fair share also of what's to

come. And that's actually what we want to engage fairly and constructively with all major economic powers. And first and foremost, with the U.S.

That's where we're heading hopefully.

SCIUTTO: Do you believe that the U.S. under President Trump negotiates in good faith? Can you trust an agreement that President Trump signs

eventually?

CUERPO: Well, I think that's how both sides are entering these negotiations in good faith, and hopefully, that will lead to an agreement to the benefit

of both the E.U. and the U.S. There's a lot at stake, as I just said.

SCIUTTO: No question. Spain stands out as the only major developed economy to have its growth forecast raised post tariffs. How do you manage that?

Everybody seems to be getting punished by these.

CUERPO: Well, there's a strong growth momentum in Spain. Actually, when you look at the data, Spain will be, in 2025, the number one major economy in

terms of growth for the second year in a row. That's actually a lot to say about an economy, such as a Spanish one.

[18:15:00]

We are also a hub for investment for foreign direct investment. So, the Spanish economies is leaving a great momentum even amidst these huge

uncertain times and these geopolitical tensions as well.

SCIUTTO: Spain's prime minister announced an increase in defense spending to reach the NATO target of 2 percent. This is something we've seen around

Europe and some going even higher than that. Do you believe that that is not just a response to Donald Trump's demands, but a reading that the U.S.

will not defend Europe the way it did in the past? In other words that this is a necessity for Spain, for its national security?

CUERPO: Well, this was a commitment within NATO that we would reach actually 2 percent. The commitment was that we would reach it by 2029, but

we brought that forward and we actually will be doing this in 2025. So, this is Spain actually living up to the challenge at this point, which is

bring in those capabilities within Europe. We want Europe to also have this autonomy in terms of security and defense, because that's what the moment

requires. And this will require an increase in our financing on defense and security, both at the national level, that's what we're doing, but also at

the European level.

Once we define those capabilities, we need to define also a way to finance them. Spain is proposing to create an E.U. fund, because this is what we

call an European public good that are very positive externalities from financing defense throughout the -- all European countries, and that's what

we will -- what we would be doing for the next for the next years.

SCIUTTO: Does an E.U. that trades less with the U.S. conceivably trade more with China? Does China fill some of that space?

CUERPO: Well, an element of on a more fragmented world or an U.S. market that will be, let's say, less open to European goods would be that we would

need to reach agreements with other trading partners. We're doing that, for example, with Mercosur. For Europe, it's key to actually have the major

Latin American economies open to our goods. And hopefully, we will ratify this agreement by the end of this year. So, that's a key element.

And then, we will need to engage with other partners. We are doing it with India, we're doing it also with China, Southeastern Asian, Middle East

countries as well. So, there's a lot of homework for us to do, but we need to engage with that -- with more trading partners. That's for sure.

SCIUTTO: Carlos Cuerpo, thanks so much for joining.

CUERPO: My pleasure.

SCIUTTO: Tesla is just out with new numbers weaker than expected first quarter earnings. The company's -- the company posted a 39 percent drop in

income, a 20 percent drop in auto revenues. It is also warning of a, quote, "changing political sentiment," impacting sales and admission. Perhaps that

CEO Elon Musk's cost cutting work for the Trump administration and quite public political statements is causing damage to the brand. Tesla also is

unable to provide guidance for future earnings due to uncertainty from tariffs.

On the plus side, it says it remains on track to release lower cost vehicles this year, that have been part of the plan. Musk also confirmed

that he will be spending less time working for the U.S. government soon, spending more time at Tesla, that a key demand from investors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELON MUSK, CEO, TESLA: I'll continue to spend, you know, a day or two per week on government matters for as long as the president would like me to do

so, and as long as it is useful. But starting next month, I'll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla. And now that the major work of

establishing the Department of Government Efficiency has done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: Joining me now is Al Root. He's an associate editor at Barron's Magazine, who's been writing about Tesla. Thanks so much for joining. I

wonder, to what extent has Musk's role in DOGE, as well as his broader political messaging in the U.S. and Europe as well, damaged the brand,

right, impacted the company numbers?

AL ROOT, ASSOCIATE EDITOR, BARRON'S MAGAZINE: It definitely did. So, you know, we know from very surveys that about 50 percent of Americans will

consider buying an electric car. That's, you know, roughly speaking, 70 percent of Democrats will consider it and 30 percent of Republicans will

consider it.

So, Musk's role in the Trump administration has essentially turned away some of his core buyers, left-leaning politically people that are looking

to go green. So, that has been a big issue. On the conference call, the CFO basically addressed this and said, yes, brand damage was part of the first

quarter sales decline. And of course, there was also the Model Y changeover. It's the bestselling EV in the world, one of the best-selling

cars in the world. And they updated it, and that can create an air pocket for sales.

So, that also was part of the first quarter sales decline. Sales were down about 13 percent year over year on a unit basis. It was the worst quarterly

decline in the company's history. So, it's both, right.

[18:20:00]

And I think the message from the conference call, A, he's going to step away from some of his DOGE activities, that's Mr. Musk. And B, you know,

new products and Robotaxis hopefully can restore some of the lost luster to the Tesla brand.

SCIUTTO: Let me ask you this, because, of course, Tesla has other issues beyond the politics, one of which is just more competition, right? I mean,

you look at Europe Chinese-made EVs, they're cheaper, they got faster charge times, et cetera. There's just more competition, there's more choice

here in the U.S. as well. What does Tesla's answer to that competition?

ROOT: So, the product lineup at Tesla is undeniably limited and old. Model Y, I think, started I think it was a 2020 launch. Again, it's become the

best-selling EV in the world. You know, in the U.S., Tesla still has about 44, 45 percent market share. So, there is more competition, but, you know,

traditional automakers really haven't sort of cracked the code. That's not really the case in China.

So, Tesla still has the bestselling EV, but why? But what it doesn't have is a full product lineup. So, part of the answer to that question for Tesla

is to basically produce lower priced vehicles, a fuller product lineup at all levels of the automotive landscape. You know, the average price of a

Tesla actually is roughly $40,000 in in the most recent quarter.

You know, most auto volume, about two-thirds of the auto volume in the world -- or excuse me, in the U.S. is still done, you know, below $40,000.

So, there's a big portion of the market that they just don't address, even with tax credits. So, that's a real issue.

So, they need to expand their product line. That's competition part one. And again, you know, whether it turns out to be right or not. Tesla's

answer to that question is autonomy. Full self-driving. We'll help sell Teslas. That's the driver assistance program that can, you know, take you

to work and back without having to pay -- without having to actually drive the car. And then, the robotaxi business.

So, the answer to that competition question is, I'm going to create an autonomous car. And basically, you know, squirrel the debate over

traditional competition. So, that's their answer. Whether he will pull it off or not is a separate question.

SCIUTTO: Yes. And of course, headwinds from tariffs as well. Al Root, Barron's Magazine, appreciate you joining.

ROOT: Thanks.

SCIUTTO: Coming up --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEAVITT: The president stands strongly behind Secretary Hegseth in the change that he's bringing to the Pentagon and the results that he's

achieved thus far speak for themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: -- a firm White House defense for now for the secretary of defense. We'll take a look coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:25:00]

SCIUTTO: The White House continues to defend the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, following reports that he shared military plans in not just one

but a second Signal group chat, insecure by the way. This one included his wife, his brother, his lawyer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEAVITT: Let me reiterate, the president stands strongly behind Secretary Hegseth in the change that he's bringing. They were Pentagon employees who

leaked against their boss to news agencies in this room. And it's been clear since day one from this administration that we are not going to

tolerate individuals who leaked to the mainstream media, particularly when it comes to sensitive information.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: She didn't mention there, of course, the sensitive information included on the group chat. This comes after the Pentagon chief and other

top members of the Trump administration discussed military plans for upcoming operations on a Signal chat, which accidentally included the

editor in chief of The Atlantic.

Larry Sabato is the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. He joins me now. Larry, good to have you on.

LARRY SABATO, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR POLITICS, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: Thank you, Jim.

SCIUTTO: I wonder this from a political standpoint, do concerns about the mishandling of classified information, including, in this case, perhaps the

most sensitive information you can have given it related to upcoming military operations, does that concern cross party lines or do people just

see it, well, if it's my guy, it's fine, if the other guy's, it's a problem?

SABATO: Over time, it will cross party lines if it continues. The first time or two, it's partisan. Everything is partisan right now, Jim. I mean,

it's incredible. You can ask about anything, and Democrats will come down on one side, Republicans will come down on the other, but it won't last

just as, it won't last on other subject areas like the economy.

SCIUTTO: So, I suppose the question is, when you add the Signal chats to the sudden departures at the Pentagon, the sniping, and we should know,

this is sniping, public sniping taking place between people in the MAGA camp, right, that were brought into the Pentagon. Now, they're out. Does

this feed a sense of mismanagement or does the majority, particularly Trump voters, still see this as Trump, the change agent, you know, and you to

make an omelet, you got to break eggs?

SABATO: We're not at the hundred-day mark yet, Jim. It matters because the first a hundred days, it's a shakedown cruise. People will make lots of

excuses, but honestly, I think the excuses are wearing thin, particularly in case like Pete Hegseth. This is really a bit much. I mean, his wife, his

brother. I'm surprised his minister wasn't in there too.

SCIUTTO: Yes.

SABATO: It just -- it doesn't make sense. It violates the sense of what's proprietary and what isn't, what's dangerous and what isn't. If you took a

secret ballot in the Pentagon of senior people, I would bet you a sizable sum that a solid majority would want him replaced, but only one person can

replace him, that's the president. For now, he's sticking with him.

SCIUTTO: You speak to a lot of folks watching these first, not quite a hundred days of the Trump administration with all the economic uncertainty,

the falling stock market, the weakening dollar, the issues in the bond markets and concerns about slowing economic growth, perhaps a recession, as

the thing that really might turn Trump's political support. And I wonder if you agree with that, that it's the pocket books that would truly impact his

standing in the standing of Republicans.

SABATO: It's the pocketbook that elected Trump, and it's the pocketbook potentially that can bring him down. We never know until it plays out. You

got to get two negative quarters together. We don't know if it officially will be a recession, but it certainly is a slowdown and potentially a very

significant one.

People pay attention to that. They're concerned. In fact, I was surprised to see Gallup today came out and showed that economic pessimism is at a

high for the 21st century. Yes, even that period around the Great Recession in 2008, 2009.

So, that's a really bad sign and there are other bad signs that are cropping up. Imagine what it's going to be when people start to really feel

it.

SCIUTTO: Yes, no question. And such a big turn in just a handful of weeks. Larry Sabato, thanks so much.

SABATO: Thank you, Jim.

SCIUTTO: Coming up, Gazan Catholics, they're saying goodbye to the new pope as well. We're going to look at one church's close relationship with Pope

Francis.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:30:00]

SCIUTTO: Welcome back to "The Brief." I'm Jim Sciutto. And here are more international headlines we are watching today. People from around the world

have been gathering in St. Peter Square to honor Pope Francis who died on Monday at the age of 88. The Vatican says his funeral will be held on

Saturday. Preparations also now underway for the Conclave, the gathering which will choose a successor. Many of the Cardinals involved in this

process this time around, in fact, most of them, were chosen by Francis himself during his 12-year papacy.

Police in the disputed region of Kashmir say that at least 26 people were killed by gunman in a suspected terrorist attack. It took a remote valley

only accessible by foot or on horseback. That's where it took place. Most of the victims were tourists there, but a dozen others were hurt. Kashmirs

administered in part by India and Pakistan. The Indian Army says it is now searching for the attackers.

A law enforcement source has revealed more details about the theft of a Gucci bag belonging to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristie Noem.

According to the source, Secret Service investigators reviewed restaurant surveillance footage of that incident in Washington. The source said it

showed the suspect sitting at the table just next to hers and then using his foot to slide the bag away. The bag contained $3,000 in cash, blank

checks and Noem's DHS access badge and her passport.

For Catholics in Gaza, Pope Francis was more than a religious leader, he was a friend. Almost every night since the start of the war, he would call

the only Catholic church there. He made his final call just this past Saturday. Speaking with Pope Francis gave the community a lifeline to the

outside world during the awful war there, and a reminder they hadn't been forgotten. Jeremy Diamond tells us how Pope Francis gave the Palestinians

hope even during the darkest days of war.

[18:35:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (through translator): For the last 18 months of his life, this was Pope Francis' nightly ritual, at 8:00

p.m. a call to war-torn Gaza.

From the third day of the war until two days before his death, Pope Francis spoke nightly with the Holy Family Church, forging a special wartime bond

that priests and parishioners of Gaza's only Catholic church won't ever forget.

REV. GABRIAL ROMANELLI, PARISH PRIEST, HOLY FAMILY CHURCH: Daily, he call us. And then to ask for peace, to pray for peace, and to give the blessing

for all Gazan people and for all the Palestinian.

DIAMOND (voice-over): He spoke to us with a father's anxiety for his children. Church leader George Anton (ph), recalled he would reassure us,

checking if we had eaten, if we had something to drink, if we had medicine, how the children were feeling, how the mothers were coping.

The relationship drew the pope closer to the plight of Gaza's civilian population and informed his outspoken criticism of Israel's attacks.

Yesterday, children were bombed, the pope cried in December. This is cruelty. This is not war. I want to say this because it touched my heart.

The pope also regularly called out rising anti-Semitism and demanded the release of Israeli hostages, including in his final address on Easter

Sunday, in which he called for a ceasefire one last time.

Inside Gaza's Holy Family Church, one of the many communities, Pope Francis touched, gathers to pray for his soul and for the world to see them as

Francis did.

My message to the world is to look at Gaza with the same eyes through which Pope Francis viewed it. Eyes of truth, justice, peace, love, eyes, that saw

the people of Gaza as deserving of life with dignity, justice, and independence.

From this small church in Gaza, a prayer against the scourge of indifference, which Pope Francis called the greatest sickness of our time.

Jeremy Diamond, CNN Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SCIUTTO: What a special friendship. Well, coming up, the 2025 spring meetings take place in D.C. I'm going to speak to the head of the European

Investment Bank just after the break. Much to discuss. We'll be back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:40:00]

SCIUTTO: The International Monetary Fund, the IMF, and World Bank are holding their spring meetings this week in Washington, casting a major

shadow, the Trump Trade war. The European Investment Bank is one of those attending, like many institutions around the world, it is trying to

navigate a new administration.

The EIB has already given roughly two and a half billion dollars to Ukraine in its war with Russia more on the way focused on reconstruction, it is

also heavily investing in green technology. Both causes suddenly much less popular in the U.S. government.

Joining me now, Nadia Calvino, she's the president of the European Investment Bank. Good to have you here.

NADIA CALVINO, PRESIDENT, EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK: Very nice to be here.

SCIUTTO: I just asked you off camera, and I'll ask you on camera now as well. What would you consider a success following the spring meetings here

for the World Bank and IMF?

CALVINO: I think a strong message of support for the multilateral system would be a success, and it would be quite logical actually, because the

multilateral system that has ruled the world for the last 80 years has served us very well. The European Union, the United States, the world as a

whole.

SCIUTTO: Now, you believe that and many world leaders I speak to believe that as well. But as you know, the current occupant of the White House has

a different view. He will often say that international treaties and organizations were designed to take advantage of the U.S. He says that

about the E.U. What's your response when he says that?

CALVINO: But you know, the world order was created by the United States after the Second World War. I mean, we created it together, the -- Europe,

the European Union did not exist at the time. And the United States was a strong supporter of European integration and of this multilateral system in

order to ensure financial stability, free trade, all those elements have greatly benefited the U.S. That's why I am quite convinced that reason will

prevail and there will be very strong support for the multilateral system.

SCIUTTO: I mentioned in the introduction, Ukraine aid and then Ukraine reconstruction is of course a major focus of the bank, 2 billion euros in

investment so far. I wonder given U.S. opposition to further spending in Ukraine in the defense space, in terms of weapons, but also just aid in

general, does this mean that Europe will have to largely do this on its own, support Ukraine's reconstruction?

CALVINO: Well, Europe is very strongly committed to Ukraine. Ukraine security is European security. There is a unanimous support for Ukraine.

And so -- and I think there's a very strong message actually we are, as the European Investment Bank, the main investment partner in Ukraine right now.

You were talking about reconstruction. We're actually financing projects to build bunkers to protect schools and kindergartens, to protect energy

infrastructures, to rebuild houses, hospitals, you know. This is what we're talking about. It's a war that's going on. We're trying to make Ukrainian

citizens live as normal a life as possible in these exceptional circumstances, terrible circumstances.

And yes, already we have been discussing the -- with the Ukrainian authorities how we can step up our support. The commitment of the European

Union is unwavering and the European Investment Bank will support Ukraine now and I hope very soon after the war.

SCIUTTO: Yes, it's -- I wonder as you look at the start or, you know, at least the efforts to begin peace talks, do you see the end of the war in

sight?

CALVINO: I am not an expert. I really wouldn't like to speculate on that. I just hope that there is a stable peace, a fair peace that can protect also

stability and peace in Europe as a whole.

SCIUTTO: Green technology has long been central to your mission, given that you have an entirely different view of green technology from the U.S., the

world's largest economy. What impact does that have on the -- your efforts to bring in more renewable energy sources, et cetera? Because, I mean,

you'd like the U.S. as a partner, but it's not clear that you have the U.S. as a partner anymore.

CALVINO: Well, you know, for the European Investment Bank, for the last years, we have been consolidating our role as the Climate Bank. And I have

to say, I'm really proud to lead the Climate Bank.

For the European Union, it's a no brainer. It's not only a matter of thinking about future generations of our greener cleaner environment, it's

about security and strategic autonomy right now, because we cannot continue to rely on fossil fuel producers. That's quite clear.

[18:45:00]

And so -- and it is a great opportunity in terms of raising competitiveness and decarbonizing very important industries in Europe. We are heavily

investing into great infrastructures, the deployment of renewables, net zero technologies, decarbonization, and the market is supporting it.

You know, just a couple of weeks ago we issued the first bond -- under the green bond standard of the European Union, and this was heavily

oversubscribed. We issued 3 billion euros. And when I say heavily oversubscribed, I mean 13 times oversubscribed. So, the market, financial

markets seem to think that this is actually a good investment. And I can only agree.

SCIUTTO: There's a lot of talk in trade circles, in light of the trade war that Europe doesn't abandon the U.S. as a trading partner, but that it

looks to other parts of the world, other partners to fill a gap, right, and that might very well include China. And I wonder in terms of green

technology, renewables, given China has emphasized it so much, do you see a turn perhaps from Europe in terms of investment east from the U.S. on

things like electric vehicles, et cetera, because there's just more investment coming from China and more opportunity?

CALVINO: But you know, the transatlantic relation is really a strategic relationship. We have more than 5 trillion euros worth investments in each

other's economy, and this has greatly benefited the E.U. and the U.S. as a whole. So, we need to really preserve this strategic partnership. And what

you will see from the European Union is a strong commitment and desire to find a good living relationship, you know, in this new environment.

Now, the open trade, open economies, this is within the DNA of the European Union. And we have been reaching out and closing deals, trade deals with

more than 70 countries around the world, most recently Mercosur. Now, there is engagement with the Emirates. There is engagement with other parts of

the world.

You know, so, this should come as no surprise. I think the European Union is a trade powerhouse, and we will continue to build on these, which is a

strength, and it leads to win-win outcomes, you know. Trade is not a zero- sum game. It leads two plus two are more than four when we are working together. So, corporation and trade is good for us. It's good for the

world.

SCIUTTO: Yes. That's the typical view. Although, you have a U.S. president who doesn't see it quite as such a win-win. Nadia Calvino, we do appreciate

you taking the time.

CALVINO: Thank you very much. A pleasure.

SCIUTTO: Coming up just after the break, a big cat on a comeback. Bill Weir goes to the jungles of Argentina as conservationists there hope to revive

the lost population of jaguars.

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SCIUTTO: Well, it is Earth Day and we're going to take it to South America where conservationists are working to reintroduce the jaguar. Our Chief

Climate Correspondent Bill Weir accompanied Mini the Jaguar on her release into the wilds of Northeastern Argentina in the hopes of reviving a lost

population of big cats there.

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(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This beautiful big cat is a wild jaguar. She's smaller than most so they call her Mini. And a

vet just sedated her ahead of a critical mission that could have a huge impact on her entire species.

WEIR: The first couple times you went through this process, it must have been exhilarating.

KRISTINE TOMPKINS, PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER, TOMPKINS CONSERVATION: It's exhilarating still, but so many things can go wrong.

WEIR: So, you're worried?

TOMPKINS: So, I'm worried about everybody.

WEIR (voice-over): Mini is set to become the first wild born Jaguar to be relocated for the purposes of conservation.

WEIR: I saw you combing her hair like a mom.

TOMPKINS: Yes. It's a little like that. It's a little like that.

WEIR (voice-over): Kristine Tompkins used to be the CEO of the apparel brand, Patagonia. She is now an icon of species conservation and Earth

repair. Along with her late husband Doug, founder of the North Face, the couple was so inspired by the success of the U.S. National Park System that

they wanted to replicate it in South America.

Fueled by a burning desire to protect the Patagonian wilderness from the ravages of cattle ranches and soy plantations, they purchased two million

acres in Chile and Argentina. But that didn't feel right. So, they decided to give it all away in the largest private land donation in history.

TOMPKINS: Crazy though it may have seemed to them then. We were doing what we were saying.

WEIR (voice-over): That spurred investment from the governments of Chile and Argentina to create a much larger series of parks, but many of the

animals were already gone.

WEIR: Do you want to describe the passenger behind us, Kris?

TOMPKINS: Bill, you are sitting I'd say eight inches from the head of a wild female Jaguar who is awake.

WEIR: If everything goes according to plan and she hooks up with all these other Jaguars --

TOMPKINS: Yes, the males.

WEIR: -- in Chaco --

TOMPKINS: Yes.

WEIR: -- what a story she's going to have to tell them.

TOMPKINS: Yes. It's going to be a big talker.

WEIR: You're not going to believe what happened to me.

TOMPKINS: You won't believe what happened to me.

WEIR: OK, Mini the Jaguar.

TOMPKINS: OK, little Jaguar.

WEIR: We are here.

TOMPKINS: Mini.

WEIR (voice-over): Mini's new home is here, in El Impenetrable National Park. It sits within the second largest continuous forest in South America

called Gran Chaco, stemming from an indigenous word meaning, hunting land and hunt they do.

Over centuries here, ranchers hunted the big cats until they were nowhere to be found. But then in 2019, hope. A park ranger discovered the tracks of

a solitary male Jaguar. And then a second one little later on. The only problem, no females to mate with. Meaning these lone males might have been

the last ones left.

WEIR: The stories around jaguars, is it changing? Is it -- do you still have ranchers who resent you for this?

TOMPKINS: Not in Corrientes and not -- that was a big thing for us. We were so prepared. Remember it took us, I think, eight years to actually release

a jaguar.

WEIR: Because of the politics?

TOMPKINS: No. Just --

WEIR: Or just the logistics?

TOMPKINS: It took us so long to find jaguars. And how do you move jaguars? Nobody had ever moved jaguars.

WEIR (voice-over): After a bumpy and dusty ride through the Gran Chaco Forest, Mini's finally set for the first stage of her release.

She spends five months in this enclosure adjusting to the drier forests of El Impenetrable. Now, with regulatory approval cleared, she's free.

[18:55:00]

But no pressure, Mini. If she successfully managed to mingle with one of those two males, the region's top cat could be back.

TOMPKINS: So, many species were gone. And now, I can honestly say this, they're back. And they're thriving.

I mean, we're really proud of what we're doing. We're not going to stop it. But we need to be looking at a continental scale. This is the like the Hail

Mary Pass of conservation. And that's how I see it.

WEIR: Yes.

TOMPKINS: And I'm 74. So, I'm not going to see the end of this, but I'm happy about that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SCIUTTO: Great story. Well, in today's Good Brief, Pope Francis' favorite football team is now celebrating his life. Francis was a fan of the

beautiful game, despite health problems that had often kept him from playing himself. He was a member of the San Lorenzo Club, though even after

he became pope, his Cuervos or Ravens. Now, paid tribute to the team's -- in the team's chapel, pointing out that his membership number 88235

includes his age and time of death, Argentina time. They posted a message saying, we will be together for eternity. A fan of the end.

Thanks so much for your company today. I'm Jim Sciutto in Washington. You've been watching "The Brief." Please do stay with CNN.

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