Axios

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is battling a series of major setbacks that portray the Pentagon as an agency in deep turmoil — including a fresh bombshell report on his use of Signal and the brutal defection of a one-time close ally.

Why it matters: The new revelations raise questions about Hegseth's ability to run the nation's largest government agency and who's been privy to typically secret Defense Department communications.

A former Dallas bishop is in charge of the Catholic Church until a new pope is chosen.

Driving the news: Pope Francis, 88, died the day after attending Easter services at St. Peter's Basilica and weeks after he was released from an extended hospital stay for pneumonia.

President Trump will attend Pope Francis' funeral, he wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday.

Why it matters: Trump's first international trip of his second term will be to the memorial service, where officials from across the world will gather in honor of the late pontiff.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at age 88, the Vatican announced.

The big picture: Pope Francis pushed the Catholic Church to the left, which satisfied Catholics seeking modernization but dismayed traditionalists.

The late Pope Francis' inclusive approach to LGBTQ+ people was historic, GLAAD, a leading LGBTQ+ rights organization, said.

The big picture: Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, was a champion of LGBTQ+ rights and pushed the Catholic Church to be more welcoming of same-sex couples and transgender people.

Chipotle Mexican Grill says it's going to its "homeland" with plans to open its first restaurant in Mexico by early 2026.

Why it matters: It's a move that didn't pan out for competitor Taco Bell when it went south of the border into Mexico or when Domino's opened pizza restaurants in Italy.

People worldwide mourned Pope Francis after he died Easter Monday at the age of 88.

The big picture: Catholic churches around the world held services in his memory, and world leaders shared statements in his honor.

• In Photos: Scenes from the life of Pope Francis

Pope Francis' meeting with Vice President Vance on Easter Sunday appears to have been one of his final engagements before he died Monday at the age of 88.

The big picture: The brief meeting took place despite a recent public rift between the two. Francis had criticized the Trump administration's deportation agenda and appeared to take issue with Vance's use of Catholic doctrine to defend it.

Pope Francis was the third twenty-first century pope — ascending after his predecessor, Benedict XVI, shocked the world with a resignation, the first in six centuries.

The big picture: The average length of a pontificate since post-1900 conclaves was about 12 years. Six out of the last 10 popes had pontificates longer than 10 years.

• From The Vatican, the pope acts as head of state, bishop of Rome, global Catholic Church leader and diplomat — meeting with the world's most powerful leaders and weighing in on political issues from the centuries-old pulpit.

Pope Francis' death at age 88 on Easter Monday has triggered mourning across the Catholic world, as tributes pour in from world leaders.

The big picture: The White House posted photos to X of President Trump and first lady Melania Trump's 2017 meeting with the pontiff and of Vance shaking hands with him on Easter Sunday, with the comment: "Rest in Peace, Pope Francis."

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on Easter Monday at age 88, the Vatican announced.

Zoom out: Mourners were pouring into St Peters' Square in Vatican City on Monday morning to celebrate the legacy left by a pope who showed unwavering support for marginalized groups, inter-religion understanding, and a more inclusive church.

In his decade-plus tenure in the Vatican, Pope Francis, who died on Monday, advanced several progressive causes within the Catholic Church from immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights to climate change and technology ethics.

Why it matters: His advocacy often clashed with the church's more conservative wing, particularly after the pontiff criticized conservative theologians' "suicidal attitude" toward social change.