Pope Leo Urges Peace in Cameroon Remarks; Democrats Introduce Impeachment Articles Against Defense Secretary Hegseth

By Shrai Popat

*Published: 2026-04-16T11:40:18.000Z*

Pope Leo XIV, the first pope born in the United States, called for a "decisive change of course" by world leaders during a meeting in Cameroon's largest English-speaking city on Thursday. Speaking amid a nearly decade-long conflict in the region that has resulted in thousands of deaths, the pontiff criticized leaders who allocate billions to wars and those who invoke religious language to justify armed conflicts, according to reports from the Vatican and local Cameroonian media. No direct references to specific leaders or recent U.S. events appeared in verified transcripts of his remarks.

The pope's comments followed social media posts by U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance addressing papal statements on war and theology. On Tuesday, Vance, speaking at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia, questioned the pope's views on divine involvement in conflicts. "How can you say that God is never on the side of those who wield the sword?" Vance asked, citing the Allied liberation of Holocaust camps as an example. The event faced interruptions from anti-war protesters. Vance added that the pope should ensure theological statements are "anchored in the truth."

Separately, three individuals were killed in a U.S. military strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, marking the fifth such operation in five days, according to U.S. Southern Command. The command described the target as a vessel operated by "Designated Terrorist Organizations" involved in drug trafficking, without naming the group. "Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action," it stated in an X post.

These strikes are part of Operation Southern Spear, which targets vessels on documented drug-trafficking routes in the region. U.S. military statements indicate that some prior incidents involved confirmed observations of narcotics transfers before engagement. For instance, on Monday, two boats accused of smuggling drugs were destroyed, killing five people and leaving one survivor. Tuesday's operation killed four more, bringing a tally compiled by the AFP news agency to at least 177 deaths across the five strikes.

The Trump administration describes these actions as part of an ongoing campaign against "narco-terrorists" in Latin America. Critics, including some Democrats, have questioned the provision of definitive public evidence linking each targeted vessel to drug trafficking, raising debates over the operations' legality under international law.

Scrutiny on Hegseth Amid Iran Conflict and Impeachment Effort

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to hold a press conference at 8 a.m. ET on Thursday to provide updates on U.S.-Iran peace talks. Journalists are expected to question him about a set of impeachment articles introduced by House Democrats.

On Wednesday, Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), whose parents fled Iran, filed articles of impeachment against Hegseth, accusing him of "high crimes and misdemeanors." The resolution, co-sponsored by Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) and others, includes six articles. The first alleges that Hegseth initiated conflict with Iran "without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization by Congress," exposing U.S. servicemembers to risk.

Another article attributes responsibility to Hegseth for a U.S.-Israeli strike on a primary school in Minab, Iran, on February 28—the first day of bombing operations—which killed between 156 and 168 people, including students and teachers, according to reports from Wikipedia (156 deaths), Amnesty International (168), and the United Nations (approximately 150). Additional allegations involve "negligence and reckless handling" of sensitive military information, such as using the commercial app Signal to discuss strikes on Yemen, and obstructing congressional oversight.

Ansari stated on X: "I’ve introduced Articles of Impeachment against Pete Hegseth for violating his oath, endangering U.S. servicemembers, and committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a girls’ school in Minab, Iran. Only Congress can declare war; his actions demand immediate removal."

The effort faces significant hurdles in the Republican-controlled House, where GOP leaders and right-leaning outlets have dismissed it as a partisan stunt or "wild plot" by a single Democrat. Analysts describe the resolution as largely symbolic, with little prospect of advancing to a vote or removal.

In related developments, Senate Democrats' war powers resolution to limit the Trump administration's military actions in Iran failed on a 47-52 vote. Republican Sen. Rand Paul supported the measure, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman opposed it. This marked the chamber's fourth failed attempt, the first since Congress returned from recess and a two-week ceasefire with Iran began.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, also failed to block sales of bombs and bulldozers to Israel in a separate vote. It was the fourth such resolution he has forced, all rejected by the Republican majority and some Democrats.

Journalist Arrest Highlights Press Freedom Concerns

Independent Minnesota reporter Georgia Fort was arrested on January 30 after federal agents arrived at her home. Fort, who faces criminal charges for covering a protest inside a St. Paul church on January 18, livestreamed the encounter on her phone. "As a member of the press, I filmed the church protest a few weeks ago, and now I’m being arrested for that," she said, noting her three children were present and that her lawyer advised compliance.

Fort was one of two journalists charged alongside Don Lemon for the coverage. The protest occurred during services at St. Paul’s Cities church, where the pastor reportedly serves as a field director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"I decided to go live because I felt like it was necessary to tell my story about who I am and my longstanding commitment to journalism, and to alert the public that this was a violation of my first amendment rights," Fort explained.

Other U.S. Political Developments

President Trump threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he remains in the role beyond his term's end and reiterated calls for a criminal investigation into renovations at the central bank's headquarters.

Wall Street indexes reached new all-time highs, driven by investor optimism that the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran may conclude soon.

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized her conservative colleagues' use of emergency orders to favor the Trump administration in a recent opinion.

Trump defended his consumption of diet soda, suggesting it might help prevent cancer, in comments shared by Mehmet Oz.

The U.S. and Iran are engaged in indirect talks to extend a two-week ceasefire set to expire on April 22. Pakistan’s army chief arrived in Tehran to support mediation efforts.

Republican legal scholar John Eastman, who advised Trump on post-2020 election strategies, lost his license to practice law in California.

Key Events Timeline

• Thursday: Pope Leo's remarks in Cameroon emphasize global peace.
• Tuesday: Vance speaks at University of Georgia event.
• Wednesday: Ansari files impeachment articles; Senate war powers vote fails.
• Thursday: Hegseth press conference on Iran talks.
• Ongoing: U.S. drug interdiction strikes in Pacific; Iran ceasefire talks.

This live blog will update with developments from Hegseth's press conference and other events. For Middle East coverage, see the dedicated crisis blog.

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