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High hopes for Pope Francis – John Allen and Father Edward Beck on what it could mean for the Catholic church
Today marks the first day of the papacy for Pope Francis, the first Latin American to be elected pope and the first to choose the name Francis. John Allen, CNN Senior Vatican Analyst, and Father Edward Beck, CNN Contributor, are live to Rome to explain what this means for the future of the church.
Allen believes there are three blocs within the cardinals. He believes one bloc wanted “a pope outside of the West,” a second who wanted a pope “who can speak for the aspirations of the world's poor,” and a group of cardinals who “wanted to shake things up in the Vatican.” “So you wrap all that up,” Allen says, “I don’t think it's that hard to figure out how he got to those magic 77 votes that represented two-thirds of this voting bloc.”
Father Edward Beck reflects on the humility of Pope Francis, who may now have to reconcile the humble life he has led so far in Argentina to the pomp and circumstance in Rome. "This is an amazing testimony," Father Beck says. "This is the man who supposedly gave up his palace where he was living, to live in a simple apartment because he wanted to be more of the common person."
Pope Francis begins first day as head of Catholic church – Miguel Marquez reports
Thousands of people were thrilled to see white smoke billow from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel yesterday. Then “the largest bell in the basilica signaled the election of a new pope,” Miguel Marquez reports.
The square quickly filled to capacity as the crowd gathered to witness the new pope greet the people. “Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, becomes Pope Francis,” he introduced himself to the world. “He asked the crowd to pray for his predecessor pope Benedict. Then in a dramatic and touching moment, he asked for silent prayer.”
Police searching for man suspected of killing four, injuring two in upstate New York – Deborah Feyerick reports
A man suspected of killing four people and injuring two others in a 10-minute shooting spree in Herkimer County, New York, is believed to be surrounded by police, authorities said Wednesday.
The upstate New York man also is believed to have blown up his house, according to a federal law enforcement source briefed on the investigation.
Policing searching for Kurt R. Myers, 64, surrounded an abandoned building, State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico and Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. Myers ditched his vehicle following shootings at a barber shop and an auto maintenance business, police said.
This morning on "Early Start," Deb Feyerick reports on the latest in the search.
READ MORE: Four killed in upstate New York shootings, police say
MYB: Dow on best streak since 1996, Samsung unveils new Galaxy S4
Christine Romans is minding your business with more good news on U.S. stock futures and markets. The Dow has been up for nine straight days, its best streak since 1996. "Remember that movie 'Fargo'?" Romans asks. "That was the last time you saw a winning streak like this."
Also, the And Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S4 today. Samsung and Apple have been competing heavily over their share of this market, Romans reports. "This is really an interesting food fight for dominance in the smartphone world."
CNN TRENDS: Fans greenlight 'Veronica Mars' movie & world celebrates 'Pi Day'
Trending on the web this morning is news of the first “fan feature” from online crowd funding site Kickstarter and "Pi Day" festivities.
Fans are thrilled that a Kickstarter campaign to bring the short-lived but much-loved TV series "Veronica Mars" to the big screen reached its goal in less than 24 hours. Series creator Rob Thomas and its star Kristen Bell launched the drive yesterday, hoping to raise $2 million over the next month. Thomas says they plan to shoot the film over the summer and release it early next year.
Also, it’s time to get your geek on for “Pi Day”. There'll be "Pi Day" festivities all over the world today, March 14, celebrating the mathematical constant beginning with 3.14. And make sure you eat some actual pie.
First Lady Michelle Obama en 'Vogue' again – Alina Cho reveals April cover
(CNN) – Michelle Obama will appear on the cover of April's edition of Vogue, the second time the first lady's photo has graced the front of the fashion bible.
A source close to the process confirmed the first lady's April cover to CNN National Correspondent Alina Cho.
Michelle Obama last appeared on Vogue's cover in March 2009, wearing a pink dress designed by Jason Wu, who had two months earlier dressed the first lady for that year's inauguration balls. She also wore a Jason Wu gown to this year's inaugural balls. The photograph was by famed portraitist Annie Leibovitz.
This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Alina Cho reveals the "Vogue" cover and discusses the First Lady's much-celebrated fashion sense.
READ MORE: Another term, another 'Vogue' cover for Michelle Obama
Motel standoff ends in Oregon for suspect in grandparents' death – Dan Simon reports
A standoff at a beachside Oregon motel ended Tuesday evening with the focus of the police's attention - the suspect in his grandparents' deaths over the weekend - being taken from his room and transported away in an ambulance.
Members of a "tactical team" entered the Lincoln City, Oregon, room of 26-year-old Michael Boysen around 7 p.m. (10 p.m. ET), emerging with no injuries, said city police Chief Keith Killian. The suspect had suffered apparently self-inflicted cuts, he added.
The image of him on a stretcher being placed in a waiting ambulance closed a day full of drama at the WestShore OceanFront Suites.
Boysen was taken into custody about an hour after authorities used water cannons to blast down part of the front door to the suspect's room, a move that showed authorities' intent to "just kind of step ... things up a little bit," according to Killian.
Dan Simon reports the latest on "Early Start" this morning.
READ MORE: Police: Motel standoff ends for man wanted in grandparents' deaths
Black smoke from Sistine Chapel indicates no new pope selected – Chris Cuomo reports
All eyes are on Sistine Chapel chimney this morning. Millions are watching for a smoke signal from the 115 cardinals voting inside. Chris Cuomo is live in Rome with the latest.
The cardinals' second or third ballots this morning show an inconclusive vote as black smoke billows from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. A new Holy Father to lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics has not yet been selected.
Teen driving deaths on rise as 15 teens killed in three accidents in three days – George Howell reports
Recent news of teen driving deaths across the country have brough the issue of car safety to the forefront. George Howell takes a look the statistics this morning on "Early Start."
“When you look at the stats about teenagers and safety on these roads, the stats are alarming,” Howell says. According to the CDC, “teenagers are three times more likely to be involved with fatal wrecks.”
In fact, "three tragic car wrecks in three different states claimed the lives of 15 teenagers in a matter of just three days,” Howell reports. The leading cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 20, deadly car accidents have seriously raised the issue of car safety among teen drivers. Driving instructors are now hoping these tragedies will send a message to their young students around the country.
Cardinals voting now for next pope – Chris Cuomo sets the scene in Rome
Right now, the world is focusing on a thin copper chimney above the Sistine Chapel. At any moment, it could show white smoke and signal the election of a new pope. Yesterday and earlier this morning, black smoke signaled that the 115 cardinal electors had failed to choose the Catholic Church's next spiritual leader.
After black smoke emerged Wednesday, the cardinals will return for an afternoon voting session beginning at 11amET, and at 12:30pmET all eyes will then be back on the Sistine Chapel chimney, awaiting another smoke signal from the cardinals.
Chris Cuomo sets the scene from Rome on "Early Start" this morning.
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