From Pope Francis to DOGE job cuts: Stories you may have missed

Pope Francis remains in critical condition after struggling with a “respiratory crisis”

After a weekend “respiratory crisis”, Pope Francis remains in critical condition.

The Vatican News reports that the Pope is currently suffering from double pneumonia and is being treated at the hospital. While his condition remains critical, he is reported to be stable.

According to Time, the 88-year-old pope was originally admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Feb. 14 for bronchitis. Since that first hospitalization, the Pope has experienced more respiratory and health issues.

Time reports that on Feb. 23, the Pope had blood tests that showed signs of kidney failure but deemed the situation to be “under control” and on Feb. 24 showed improvement. On Feb. 25, the Pope was well enough to perform official duties, such as approving decrees for new saints.

However, the Pope is not out of danger yet.

With a preexisting lung disease, doctors have described his situation as touch-and-go, according to the Associated Press. However, many health professionals and followers remain hopeful for his recovery and return to full service.

Elon Musk’s DOGE causes fear of job cuts after accomplishment email and wave of national park firings

Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced a mass email to US government workers on Saturday.

This email, according to the BBC, requested that employees send a list of accomplishments from the past week before Monday or face resignation.

While a number of agencies, such as the Department of Transportation and the Small Business Administration, have complied with the email order, Fox News reports that other departments have pushed back on Musk. The State Department and the FBI Director have both issued statements instructing employees not to respond to or ignore the email.

This move is the latest by DOGE in a series of sweeping job cuts across the federal government. These cuts extend to the National Parks, where many employees have received sudden firings.

According to CNN, many employees at Yosemite National Park have been fired with little to no warning or explanation. In protest, the American Flag was displayed upside down at Horsetail Fall in the park on Saturday, drawing national attention.

President Donald Trump has defended the cuts by DOGE, emphasizing the decrease in the size of the federal government.

“We want to make government smaller, more efficient,” Trump said. “We want to keep the best people, and we’re not going to keep the worst people.”